Many times a neutral third party – a rabbi or a bet din – can resolve even a longstanding dispute. In addition, look out for the interests of others and ask yourself, “Whom can I help this week?” Some examples: giving emotional, financial or physical support; offering advice; helping someone find a job, a spouse or a needed resource.
The Tenth Commandment: Prohibition of coveting. This includes pressuring a person to sell something or give a gift or loan. The converse is appreciating what we have and asking ourselves, “What has God already given me that I will thank Him for?”
The Ten Commandments are broad categories of the entire Torah. Many of us struggle with at least one category. Perhaps the opportunity to strengthen and repair that area is a core reason God sent our souls from Heaven into this world; it is our moment of truth. Ask yourself, “Which commandment and its subcategories will I focus on being better in?”
Imagine a society where everyone observed the Ten Commandments (with gentiles observing those that apply to them). We long for such a peaceful and spiritual world. This and more will happen when the Messiah comes. By becoming living examples of the Ten Commandments, we illuminate the world with His glory, ushering in a time when, ” the earth will be full of the knowledge of God, as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9).
Yaakov Weiland has an MSW from Fordham School of Social Service and lives in New York City. Visit his blog at yaakovweiland.blogspot.com.