Midot - Values from the Torah

This is a partial list of Torah based values and virtues anyone can apply in his or her own life right away. Some of these links can be used as resources for reading and learning more on the subject. The list continue with concepts you are invited to research further yourself.

The Torah tells us that these concepts, when properly used and applied, can transform individuals, communities and possibly the entire world.

TIKKUN OLAM (Repairing the World)

Many use this concept as a guide for social justice. It can also be viewed as a personal guide for taking responsibility in repairing that which is broken in the world:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tikkun_olam
Responsibility to Perfect G-d's World
Individual Acts and "in the Interest of Public Policy" ...
Tikkun Olam as Social Justice

KIBUD AV VAEM (Honoring your Father and Mother)

The Meaning of Honor
Some Basic Laws Of Kibbud Av Va Em
Two Commandments

BIKKUR CHOLIM (Visiting the Sick)

Bikur Cholim: The basics
A 'training manual' to download (.doc)

TZEDAKAH (Charity, Philanthropy)

Meanings, Levels, and Obligations

"Levels of Tzedakah
Certain kinds of tzedakah are considered more meritorious than others. The Talmud describes these different levels of tzedakah, and Rambam organized them into a list. The levels of charity, from the least meritorious to the most meritorious, are:

Giving begrudgingly
Giving less that you should, but giving it cheerfully.
Giving after being asked
Giving before being asked
Giving when you do not know the recipient's identity, but the recipient knows your identity
Giving when you know the recipient's identity, but the recipient doesn't know your identity
Giving when neither party knows the other's identity
Enabling the recipient to become self-reliant"

Charity versus Tzedakah - the difference
Tzedakah- making a difference

TZAR BALEI HAIYM (Ethical Treatment of Animals)

Pets and Prohibiting Cruelty to Animals
The Ethics Demands Taking Animal Suffering Seriously

NIHUM AVELIM (Consoling the Bereaved)

Comforting those who Mourn
Death and Mourning Customs
Life, Death, and Mourning

PIKUACH NEFESH (Caring for the Soul, sanctity of life)

The obligation to preserve life

HACHNASAT ORHIM (Hospitality)

Hospitality on Shabbat
Abraham welcomed Angels

MIKDASH ME'AT (A little Holy Place)

This term is found in Ezekiel 11:16 and is referred to the institution of the Synagogue that took the place of the Temple in Jerusalem after its destruction in 70 AD. Later this concept was expanded to the creation of a sacred space for prayer or connecting with G-d in the home or inside a person.

The concept of Mikdash Me'at includes all things spiritual or physical that influence body and mind in the quest for closeness with the creator.

ANAVAH (Humility)

ACHRAYUT (Responsiblity)

BITACHON (Trust)

CHESED (Lovingkindness)

DAN LE’ZECHUT (Give the Benefit of the Doubt)

EMET (Truthfulness)

EMUNAH (Faith)

ERECH APAYIM (Slow to Anger)

EZRA HADADIT (Mutual Community Assistance)

HAKARAT HA'TOV (Gratitude)

HISTAPKUT (Simplicity)

KAVOD HAMET (Respect for the Dead)

KEDUSHAT HaCHAIYM (Sanctity of Life)

KERUV LEVAVOT (drawing people close together)

LASHON HARA (the evil tongue)

LO TALBIN PNEI HAVERCHA BARABIM (Do not embarrass your friend in public)

MENUCHAT HA'NEFESH (Calmness of the Soul)

NEDIVUT (Generosity)

NETILAT YADAIYM (Ritual Washing of the Hands)

RACHAMIM (Compassion)

RODEF TZEDEK (Pursue Justice)

SAMEAH BEHELKO (Contentment with your Lot in Life)

SEDER (Order)

SEVER PANIM YAFOT (A Pleasant demeanor)

SHALOM BAIT (Keeping the Peace at home)

SHERUT (service to scociety)

SHEVIL HA'ZAHOV (Moderation)

SHTIKAH (Silence)

SHMIRAT HAGUF(Taking Care of your Body)

TAHARAT HAMISHPACHA (Family Purity)

TZNIUT (Modesty)

ZERIZUT (Enthusiasm)

YIRAH (Reverence)