THE JEWISH OBLIGATION TO CHANGE THE WORLD

It's called Tikkun Olam. What is Tikkun Olam? Answer: a Hebrew transliteration that means "Heal or change the world."

It is our obligation as Jews to participate in deeds and mitzvot that would change the world to become a better place, to try as the messiah would, to increase quality of actions that would heal the world.

Where can we start?? Is it up to us to pick up all the garbage thrown on the streets single-handedly just because it needs to be done? Or to become the mayor of a city like Rahm Emanuel did in Chicago and then as he did instate recycling with trucks and passing out plastic recycling bins to all the Chicago citizens, West Chicago as well. Before Emanuel became mayor, W. Chicago had no recycling, so how come there was garbage everywhere?? How can we teach people how to recycle, now that they all own the bins and have trucks picking up the garbage? 

Are you walking in a parking lot and you see someone's car headlights are on and no one is in the car? It is your responsibility to take down the license plate number and give it to the security department of that parking lot. 

Find money or jewelry or other unidentifiable goods on the street or sidewalk? If it cannot be identified it cannot be returned to its original owner. A wallet or purse with an ID can be returned. No need to give unidentified goods to security staff because what happens is they themselves keep the item when no one picks it up. It is said to be "Losers weepers, finders keepers." 

A missing dog or cat? If there is no leather collar with a name or address of its owner, the animal is dangerous because it is not eating and may never find its way back home. The city dog pound can find the owner if there is a collar on the pet or a phone call was made to the city by the original owner.

What to do to change the world? It is up to you. Use your talents, skills and intelligence to heal the world as you yourself are healing because you are contributing goodness to the world; helping to change it to a better place, and therefore you yourself will change into a better holier person.