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Topic: God in the Workplace

Mike S. wrote:

Dear Rabbi,

So I sit down at my desk and start the workday...is there a prayer I should be saying right then? How does a person bring Hashem to work?


Dear Mike S.,

What an interesting question, and one that everyone should really ask himself!

Working gives you a chance to do countless mitzvot and good deeds: Keeping your word to employers, employees and clients, paying workers on time, treating fellow workers with respect, fulfilling obligations to support your family, contributing to the good of society. These are all important parts of Jewish Law which you can fulfill at work!

And simply supporting oneself is a mitzvah because it helps eliminate temptation to steal.

In the words of the Sages, it is possible for a shoe-maker to stitch every stitch in the Name of Hashem. And the Talmud says, "Work is great, because it brings honor to the one who does it."

So, approach your work as an opportunity to serve Hashem by doing all that is required according to Jewish Law, and pray for success in this.

And, above all, if you set aside time to study Torah in the course of your busy schedule (not at your employers' expense), it is possible to elevate the mundane workday to a spiritual plane.


 
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