April Word of the Month

April Word of the Month

Tikun Olam

Repair the World

Once again, I have chosen a Hebrew word or phrase as my word of the month.

Last month's word was HINENI,"here I am".

This month's phrase Tikun Olam ,is a colloquial phrase meaning "to repair the world".

I have had discussions (read arguments) with some who challenge this concept of "repairing" the world.

To "repair" it infers that in some way,that which The Creator has made is either flawed or broken.

I for one choose to view this as an opportunity to make the world a little bit better,to make a difference.

As much as it might be nice to leave a legacy that did in fact make an enormous impact on mankind, I have come to understand that before repairing "The World",Tikun Olam, I should probably pay more attention to L'Tikun Et Olam, repairing my world. My world meaning the world in which I live. My community, my home, with my family, friends neighbors,coworkers and colleagues.

The WORLD is a very big place!

My world is a lot smaller.

I remember as a child my parents cautioning me to eat what was on my plate, don't worry about what's on other peoples.

I can safely say that I have no messianic dreams or aspirations. That just isn't what I am about.

I am all about L'Tikun Et Olam, repairing my world.

There is actually a third phrase that is interwoven with Tikun Olam and L'Tikun Et Olam.

L'Tikun et Ami, to repair myself,is essential to the other two.

Before taking on the responsibilities of repairing or improving anything else,I know deep in my heart of hearts that I must always be repairing me.

I must enter each day searching for improvement, being a better version of myself than I was the day before.

Only when I do this, actively and aggressively work at being a better version today of the person I was yesterday,can I even have a hope of taking on a small part of the world around me.

Tikun Olam,L'Tikun Et Olam & L''Tikun et Ami.

You can't have one without the other.

Remember today's "Quote of the Day":

"...a person reaches in three directions-inward, to oneself; up to G-d; out to others. The miracle of life is that in truly reaching in any one direction, one embraces all three."

~ Rabbi Nachman of Breslov

Shabbat Shalom!