Warm weather, warm words from warm hearts

Rabbi Fishel Zaklos

Weather affects the mood.

Although studies prove it, we don’t need scientific journals to inform us of it. We know it from within ourselves. Gloomy days often lead to gloomy moods. Sunny days (not too sunny, though) lead to bright and light moods.

We are blessed to live in the Sunshine State, and that is one of the reasons why Floridians are such a wonderful bunch of people — full of inner sunshine.

Better moods lead to better relationships. Better relationships lead to a healthier and happier world. Hence, there is no time like the present to focus on enhancing the quality of our interactions with our loved ones and with all whom we encounter.

This leads me to one of the greatest books of all time, “Ethics of our Fathers.” It is a compilation of wise and moral statements shared by Jewish leaders over a 500-year period, about two millennia ago.

There is a beautiful Jewish custom to learn this book during the spring and summer months, as there is no better time than when the sun is shining (which is every day in our corner of the world) to focus on morality than when we are outand-about, interacting with neighbors, family and friends.

Here is a sampling from some of its most powerful sayings:

If I am not for myself, who is for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?

All my life I have been raised among the wise, and I have found nothing better for the body than silence. The essential thing is not studying, but deed.

A bashful one cannot learn; a shorttempered person cannot teach.

The property of your fellow should be as precious to you as your own.

It is not incumbent upon you to finish the task, but neither are you free to absolve yourself from it.

One whose fear of sin takes precedence to his wisdom, his wisdom endures. But one whose wisdom takes precedence to his fear of sin, his wisdom does not endure.

Beloved is man, for he was created in the image of G d.

Who is wise? One who learns from every man. Who is strong? One who overpowers his inclinations. Who is rich? One who is happy with his lot. Who is honorable? One who honors his fellows.

Envy, lust, and honor drive a man from the world.

There are four types of temperaments. One who is easily angered and easily appeased — his virtue cancels his flaw. One whom it is difficult to anger and difficult to appease — his flaw cancels his virtue. One whom it is difficult to anger and is easily appeased is pious. One who is easily angered and is difficult to appease is wicked.

Such incredible wisdom, written in such a down-to-earth-way, resonates timelessly with multilayered meaning on how to see ourselves and others.

When we take these statements to heart, it is then that we truly become people of light.

When the sage Hillel was asked by a fellow to tell him the whole Torah while standing on one foot, Hillel famously responded, “That which is hated by you, don’t do onto others. The rest of Torah is a commentary on that statement!”

To paraphrase, treat others the way you would like to be treated is the basis of the entire Jewish tradition.

The litmus test of whether your faith and tradition are having their desired effect on you is straightforward. Has it made you a nicer, kinder, sensitive human being? If yes, then you know you are on track.

Sending light your way, embedded in the words and wisdom of our Fathers.

Rabbi Zaklos Fishel serves at Chabad Naples.