Step 6: Action

Spots of time

1. When somebody went out of their way to help you.

2. When an unkind remark was made about or to you

3. Are you often conscious of thinking or behaving hurtfully? Does awareness help you stop or shift your thoughts or actions?

4. How often do you act on the positive or negative versions of the Golden Rule? How might you incorporate it more consciously in your life?

Step 6: Action

The Negative Golden Rule

The Positive Golden Rule

Don't do to others what you would not like them to do to you

Always treat all others as you'd like to be treated yourself

Step 6: Action

Action is a key Jewish concept 

Israel said at Mount Sinai na’aseh v’nishma 

"First we will do and then we will understand"

Step 6: Action

Sefer Hamitzvot Ha'Qatzar

The Abridged Book of Imperatives

The Obligation to Love the Stranger

61. It is a positive imperative to love the stranger

In Judaism this is not a stand-alone statement. We are told to love the stranger and we are told how to do this:

Step 6: Action

Talmud Sotah 14a

As G!d clothes the naked, you clothe the naked

The Holy One visits the sick, you visit the sick. 

The Holy One comforts those mourners, you comfort mourners.

The Holy One buries the dead, you bury the dead.

Step 6: Action

Small actions... & Three Practical Suggestions

1. Stress daily positive actions. Use the positive version of the Golden Rule: Always treat all others as you'd like to be treated yourself

2. Avoid negative actions. Follow the negative version of the Golden Rule:Don't do to others what you would not like them to do to you

3. Consider your responses and what is required to change them at least once a day

Step 6: Action

Wash Your Hands: A Jewish Exercise in Mindfulness

Netilat Yadayim & Active Mindfulness

Felder suggests we look beyond the usual translation to what the words mean.

"[This prayer] is not about washing physical germs off your hands—rather it’s about aligning yourself with your true purpose for being of service that day in your own unique manner."

Step 6: Action

Wash Your Hands: A Jewish Exercise in Mindfulness

Asher qid'shanu b'mitz'votav

Who Sanctifies us with Divine Imperatives

Mitz'votav translates as "Divine Imperative" but means 

Ways of being holy

Ways of connecting with God 

Ways of bringing goodness into the world.

Step 6: Action

Wash Your Hands: A Jewish Exercise in Mindfulness

Vitzi'vanu ahl netilat yady'im

An Imperative: Raise high your hands

This speaks to Avoda "service"

I will wash my hands in purity and I will encircle Your altar to proclaim a sound of thanks.

Step 6: Action

To serve G!d a person must be sanctified... 

Wash hands from a vessel, just as the Kohen [Jewish priest] did every day from the special basin located in the Temple prior to his service.

Step 6: Action

Raise your hands high

1. To set your intention that you want to be of service to the Creator

2. To imagine yourself like a high priest at the Temple preparing for a service

3. To move and speak in a way that serves up an offering to the One who gave you your gifts