HOW CAN WE distill something as complex as Judaism into one simple, straightforward sentence?
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks zt”l makes an interesting observation this week, reminding us of a discussion in the Talmud where three rabbis tried to do just that.
One rabbi sees it as a matter of faith, and offers Deuteronomy 6:4, the Shema – “Hear O Israel, Adonai is our G?d, Adonai is One.” Another frames it in terms of community, citing Leviticus 19:18: “Love your fellow as yourself.” But the rabbi who gets the last word says Judaism’s essence can be found in Numbers 28:4: “Offer one lamb [as a sacrifice] in the morning and the second in the afternoon.”
Rabbi Sacks intimates that living a life of consistent action is our religion’s most important teaching. “Judaism … is not just the fire of romantic love but the daily kindnesses of a successful marriage, not just an exalted faith in the transcendent G?d but the way it takes faith and translates it into everyday life.” May we all strive to carry this essence forward.