Judaism on Respect for Those Who Labor

Rabbi Melanie Aron

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Our tradition teaches that the respect we owe another person, should not be dependent on their wealth or position in society. It shouldn’t be dependent on the house they own or the car they drive. But we know that often there is a gap between what is and what should be. That gap is clearly nothing new, as the story I’d like to tell dates back well before the days of Henry Ford.

Once there were two rabbis, Rabbi Elimelech of Lizensk and Rabbi Zusha of Anipoli. Poor and disheveled, they travelled from town to town seeking wisdom. Once it happened that they arrived late at night in the town of Ludmir. They saw one house with a lantern still burning in the window. It was a large and well maintained house, with a more than ample yard and stable. They knocked on the door, and soon the owner appeared.

“I don’t run a hotel here,” he said. “There’s a poor house near the synagogue for wandering beggars.” And with that he slammed the door in their faces.

The two rabbis continued further into town until they saw another house with a single candle in the window. This was the house of the scribe, and he welcomed them into his humble home.

Years passed and the two travelling rabbis became well known for their wisdom. They came again to the town of Ludmir, but this time they arrived by coach as official guests of the community. As they were welcomed, a wealthy gentleman Reb Feivel came out to greet them. “Rabbis, the town council has given me the honor of hosting you during your stay. Mine is the best house in town and with me you will lack nothing. I’ve explained to the coachman where to bring your things; everyone knows where Reb Feivel’s house is. “

After this welcome, the rabbis were taken on a walk through town, while their luggage was taken to the home of the rich man.

Hours passed, and still the two rabbis had not arrived. The rich man grew concerned. Where could they be? He went outside to look for their coachman.

“Where are the rabbis?” he asked.

“They are not coming,” the coachman said. “Rabbi Elimelech and Rabbi Zusha are staying at the home of the scribe.”

“At the scribe’s? But their luggage is here and their coach is here. “

“These were the rabbis’ instructions.”

The rich man hurried over to the scribe’s house. “Rabbis, why are you not coming to my house? It was agreed that I would host you.”

“You are hosting us,” said the rabbis. “You are hosting that part of us that you wish to host. Last time we were here without luggage or coach, you turned us away from your house. So it isn’t us you wish to host. It is our luggage and coach, which are currently enjoying your hospitality.”

Our Torah portion this week includes the commandment to share our bounty with others. As we bring in the first harvest of our grain we are to share it, not only with our own family, but with the poor and defenseless in our community, with the orphan, the widow, the landless Levite, and the stranger. The Bible understood that this would not be our first inclination, that welcoming those who are needy or who seem different than ourselves would be difficult.

Last night Rev Rebecca Kuiken talked about the problems of the hotel workers in our community as an example of the working poor. This is a group that we tend to overlook or to treat with disrespect, though in truth we owe them a great debt.

Jewish tradition reminds us that we are much better off than Adam and Eve, starting off their lives outside of the garden. They had to do everything themselves, whereas we benefit so much from the labors of others.

As Ben Zoma, who lived in the 2nd century of the Common Era, wrote: “What labors did Adam have to carry out before he obtained bread to eat? He plowed, he sowed, he reaped, he bound the sheaves, threshed the grain, winnowed the chaff, selected the ears, ground them, sifted the flour, kneaded the dough and baked. And only then did he eat. Whereas I get up and find all these things done for me.”

The great rabbis of the Mishnah and Talmud were not men of leisure. Hillel was a wood-cutter. Shammai was a mason. Abba Hoshaya was a laundryman. Some of the rabbis were tailors, blacksmiths, brewers and farmers. They came from all social classes. But the respect they received did not depend on their economic status.

Today restaurant workers prepare the meals we eat. Janitorial workers keep our places of employment clean. Hotel workers provide hospitality for us as we travel for business or pleasure, but their lives are often difficult.

On this Labor Day weekend we are reminded that there can be no true celebration, unless our bounty is shared.

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel who marched in Selma with the Rev Martin Luther King, was once lecturing on religion and ethics. A man got up and asked him: “What do I need religion for? I am a good person, I lead an ethical life, I treat others decently. What do I possibly need religion for?” Heschel answered him ironically: ”That is the difference between you and me, sir. You are a good person. I am not.” Religion heightens our awareness of our moral imperfections.

As we prepare for the High Holidays, we are urged to become more aware and sensitive to our own failings. O God, help us to recognize the ways that we take for granted the contribution that others make to our lives. Help us to be more respectful and welcoming to all who are created in Your image. Let us work together to make this a world, in which all share in the goodness you have provided.