2018 Pool Guide and Summer CenterPost

315-445-2360 | www.jccsyr.org
The world stands on three things
By Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone
Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas
During the early summer weeks, there is
a custom to study Pirkei Avot, a collection
of teachings by the early rabbis. In the first
chapter, Shimon the Righteous addresses
a particular question: “If the world were
compared to a three-legged chair, what
would be its three legs?” For
such a chair, all three legs
would be necessary or the chair
would fall over. What are the
three things without which the
world could not exist?
Environmentally speaking,
the world needs clean air,
clear water and clean soil.
Astrologically speaking, the world needs
to rotate on its axis, orbit around the sun,
and have the moon in its orbit. Without
any of these things, life on earth would be
radically different or physically impossible.
Shimon the Righteous had a different, less
physical, take on this question. He taught:
“The world stands on three things—
on Torah, on Avodah, and on G’milut
Chasadim.” What are these three elements?
What is Torah? Torah is the Hebrew
word for ‘teaching’ or ‘instruction.’
For Shimon, without the process of
internalizing one’s learning - from our
faith traditions, from the natural world,
and from each other - the world would
be unable to exist. Without
the pursuit of wisdom,
understanding and knowledge,
and applying that knowledge to
make the world a better place,
we would still be stuck in the
Stone Age.
What is Avodah? Avodah is
the word both for ‘work’ and for
‘worship.’ If Torah is about internalizing
what one has learned, Avodah is about
reaching out beyond the self in prayer,
which can take many forms. It can be
joining in song with a congregation. It
can be done in solitude in the woods.
It can be done in still quiet meditation.
It can be done while participating in a
march or rally for social justice. Avodah
is about seeing the world as it is now, and
envisioning the world as it should be. The
next step is going out to make the world we
envision into the world as it is.
What is G’milut Chasadim? G’milut
Chasadim is the Hebrew phrase for ‘acts
of lovingkindness.’ G’milut Chasadim
is about reaching out beyond the self to
others and doing good deeds: visiting the
sick, comforting the mourner, hospitality,
giving money, food, shelter or clothing to
those in need, and so on.
Shimon the Righteous is teaching us
that we need to be three-dimensional: to
reach inward with our learning, reach
upward in prayer, and to reach out to each
other with acts of lovingkindness. It is
the combination of these three elements
that make the world worthy of its physical
existence.
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Free nutrition counseling
for seniors at the JCC
Want to eat healthier to be
healthier? If you’re age 60
or older or a caregiver for
a senior, you are eligible
to receive free nutrition
counseling at the JCC.
Nutrition counseling appointments are available
the third Monday of every month from 11 a.m.
to noon and from 1–2 p.m. Registered Dietitian
Laurie Zirilli, MA, RD, CDN, is a consulting
dietitian for the Onondaga County Office for
Aging and will provide this service at the JCC.
Whether you are newly diagnosed with an
illness that requires you to alter your eating
habits, or just need to discuss proper nutrition,
Zirilli is available to help. Again, there is no
charge for this service, however voluntary
contributions are accepted and appreciated.
A nutrition counseling appointment is required
to meet with Zirilli. To schedule an appointment,
contact Cindy Stein at 315-445-2040, ext. 104,
or email cstein@jccsyr.org.
12 JCC of Syracuse | 2018 Summer CenterPost & Pool Guide