smb@ulysses.UUCP (Steven Bellovin) (02/16/85)
It's worth mentioning that Judaism takes a very different view of "good works". Good deeds -- "tzedakah" -- are considered to be an essential part of salvation (as it were). For example, in the Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) service, there's a major line translated as "But repentance, prayer, and charity avert the severe decree".
ask@cbdkc1.UUCP (A.S. Kamlet) (02/16/85)
> It's worth mentioning that Judaism takes a very different view of "good works". > Good deeds -- "tzedakah" -- are considered to be an essential part of > salvation (as it were). For example, in the Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) > service, there's a major line translated as "But repentance, prayer, and > charity avert the severe decree". In fact, tzedakah are "mitzvot" -- commandments which must be followed, not just nice things to do. Judaism requires the performance of tzedakah, not because they may "avert the severe decree" but because they are commandments. The quotation which Steve has cited above is from a beautiful, emotional poem (my opinion) which pictures G-d as writing each of our fates in this world into a book. Whether the coming year will bring us good things or bad, happiness or sadness, life or death, are in the book. "But repentance, prayer, and good deeds (may) avert the (severity of the) decree." -- Art Kamlet AT&T Bell Laboratories Columbus {ihnp4 | cbosgd}!cbrma!ask