Study after study points to the fact that too many in the Jewish community are losing their connections to the Jewish people.  Perhaps, the question we must struggle with is not so much why we are losing so many, but rather, why should we and they want Judaism and the Jewish people to survive.

I think the above quote from this week’s parshah sheds light on an answer to that question.  The statement suggests that if someone does work for you, you must pay that person immediately.  Notice that the statement, “You shall not rob” precedes the statement about holding back the wage until morning.  It seems to infer that holding back wages is like stealing.  The statement about not holding back the wages until morning also seems to take into account human nature where one might just say to him or herself that they will pay the laborer in the morning, but when the morning comes, they get caught up with something else and say to themselves they will pay the person in the afternoon, etc.  It forces us to pay our debts immediately.

Our Jewish tradition has so much to teach us about ethical living, about caring for one another and about tikkun olam, the healing and repair of the world.  We seem to have a mission to accomplish and even though we may never perfect the world, our tradition implores us that “it is not incumbent upon you to complete the task, but neither are you free to desist from it”. 

What’s YOUR answer to the question of why the Jewish people should continue? 

I hope you will join us on Thursday at 5:30 pm at the Squirrel Hill JCC for our Centennial Fund for a Jewish Future Foundation event featuring Rabbi Joseph Telushkin.  The program is entitled “this is no laughing matter” and will use Rabbi Telushkin’s knowledge of Judaism and of Jewish humor to talk about some of the most critical issues of our time.  We will also share some exciting news with the community regarding our Centennial Fund for a Jewish Future.  For more information and to RSVP, please click here.

Looking forward to seeing many of you next Thursday night.  By the way, if you have not yet paid your pledge to the Federation, don't let it "remain with you until morning"!

Shabbat Shalom.

Jeff Finkelstein, President/CEO