Kol Almanah V’Yatum Lo Taanun
The Torah commands of us many things, some of which may feel outdated or inapplicable such as tithing (saving 10% of land for the poor- Deuteronomy), others may seem all-the-more too obvious (not to have sexual relationships with your mother- Leviticus), and others require further examination (you are all prohibited from hurting a widow or orphan- Exodus). How does the Torah define widow and orphan? Who does this commandment directly apply to? Why would we hurt other people? Aren’t we supposed to help people, not simply avoid hurting them?
The Torah defines widows and orphans as those who are vulnerable and lack necessary rights. This now expands our responsibilities beyond widows and orphans to anyone who lacks critical resources for success. Foster child advocate, social worker, and pediatrician Dr. Rachel Zahn spoke with the Jewish Teen Foundation on the importance of early childhood development. She explained that the first three years of life are critical in setting the foundation for a supported, balanced, successful life. Yet at the mere age of three, an individual cannot be expected to support oneself, nurture oneself, provide for oneself. In essence, young children could be considered widows and orphans-- vulnerable, unable to advocate for their needs and rights. Dr. Zahn passionately educates people that without the solid foundation as a baby, many years of life are spent in a cycle of catching up. We cannot simply put a temporary patch on the issues that needed to have been addressed and prevented in early childhood.
The Torah explains the idea of not hurting, elaborating that it means actively advocating (for the widow and orphan): show great care, speak to them gently, treat them with honor, do not discriminate against them. What may have seemed like an easy commandment in truth requires more of us than the words let on.
Yet we must make the distinction between doing what is relatively simple (not hurting) and doing what is right and necessary (actively advocating). Throughout the months of November and December, we are surrounded by the season of giving, an easy time to stretch our philanthropic dollars as far as they can possibly reach. As the holiday season comes to a close, the used toy collections grow infrequent and the canned food drives lose steam, we all need to continue exercising compassion to everyone, giving thanks for our blessings, and donating time and money year-round to causes that resonate with us and ignite our profound desire to stimulate positive change.
The teens of the Jewish Teen Foundation embrace our responsibility to support others who are vulnerable- to support the widow and orphan. This year, the Jewish Teen Foundation has made it our mission to “invest in organizations that secure the basic needs for at risk youth.” Dr. Zahn and JTF leader Darren Schwartz encourage site visits to organizations that address this mission in order to get to know how the organizations address needs in the community. The leadership training and learning opportunities gained from being a part of the Jewish Teen Foundation will extend beyond our years in the program, providing the foundation for us to lead lives of philanthropy and advocacy.
