Tikkun Olam

In the Jewish tradition, Tikkun Olam refers to the responsibility each individual has to work towards repairing the world. Religious myth says that as part of their covenant with God, the Jews agreed to fulfill 613 mitzvots, or duties, aimed at preparing the world for its eventual redemption. Rather than being an outward-focused, evengelical religion, Judaism focuses on what each individual can do as an extension of his or her faith to better follow God's law. Traditionally, Jews are not concerned about converting others to Judaism because it is only they who are bound by the Torah. The philosophy of Tikkun Olam, however, is equally applicable to all, Jewish or not.

If each day you wake up with the aim of repairing the world in some way, leaving something better than you found it, you can rest immortal, confident that your existence truly had an impact that will not fade with your life. It is through this action of repairing the world that we express our humanity, dignity, and love of life. Through Tikkun Olam, even the least religious among us can find something to believe in.

How have you repaired the world today?