[net.religion] Works -- the Jewish view

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