Choose to act with integrity

RABBI SHMUEL YESHAYAHU

What is a Torah perspective on the underlying cause of the recent Stanley Cup riots?

When you see senseless acts of violence, where people loot, burn cars and literally destroy a city they consider their home, it is hard not to wonder what is wrong with society. These acts of destruction have brought shame to many Vancouverites who love their city, but so much has been said about our reputation and how we have made ourselves look to the rest of the world, that we haven’t considered the bigger issue: teenagers growing up without an awareness of their actions.

The Midrash references the actions of three great individuals, Reuben, Aaron and Boaz, and says that if they had known that their actions would be recorded in the Torah, then they would have chosen to act differently.

Reuben, the son of Jacob, tried to save his brother Joseph from his siblings. The other brothers were jealous of Joseph, who was the favorite in many respects. They were about to kill Joseph but Reuben was able to convince them to leave Joseph in a pit instead, thinking that he would return to rescue his brother later. Unfortunately, when Reuben came back, Joseph already had been sold into slavery. Reuben’s goodness managed to save his brother from death, but he could have done better – and he would have done better, had he known that his story would be recorded in the Torah for generations to come.

Aaron was Moses’ brother. When G-d imparted Moses with leadership of the Jewish people, Aaron came to greet him with his staff and joy and happiness in his eyes. If Aaron had known his actions would be recorded, he might have arrived to see his brother with music and drums, but he didn’t know, so he came only with joy and not an extra measure of joyfulness.

Boaz, who married Ruth and sparked the lineage of King David, offered her simple food to eat. Had he known he would be recorded in the Torah, he might have served her more elborate meals, showing her the respect she deserved.

Here were men with good hearts and good intentions, but, since they did not realize their story would be a part of Jewish history, their deeds went only partway. For exemplary men like these, fearing what people or society might think was among their greatest mistakes: Reuben feared the judgment of his brothers, Aaron feared being thought a flatterer and Boaz feared that people would see him as a briber or seducer.

Maimonides explains that one should always view the good and evil in himself and the world as being on an equal scale. Should he perform one good deed in thought, speech or action, he will tip the scale and bring deliverance and redemption to himself and to the world.

In Breishit, G-d says, “Zeh sefer toldot ha’adam” (“This is the book of the genealogy of human kind”). When G-d introduces the beginning of genealogy, He informs us that each of us has his/her own book – our spiritual life and legacy – that will be reviewed by Eliyahu and Mashiach. The Torah infuses all people with the sense that they matter, that each action is meaningful, and we are expected to act with integrity and courage.

Unfortunately, many people act out of fear of what others might think, a result of feeling that they do not matter, that their actions are irrelevant. This thinking represents a lack of self-esteem that comes from a lack of direction, meaning and responsibility. Being “part” of the Canucks gave some people an artificial sense of self-worth, belonging and connection. When the team lost, their façade of purpose and importance was stripped away, leaving them empty and disconnected.

There is nothing wrong with enjoying a good game of sports, but when winning or losing a hockey game is what brings meaning, there is great cause for concern. But there is a remedy. As the Midrash teaches, when people have an awareness of the importance and longevity of their actions, they are more likely to act with integrity.

Rabbi Shmuel Yeshayahu is head of the Ohel Ya’akov Community Kollel. He wrote this article with Eitan Olevsky, a novelist and screenwriter from Lima, Peru, who now lives in Vancouver.

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