Leviticus 19:3- Sara Raubvogel

One Mitzvah from ויקרא י"ט that I personally connect with is “You shall each revere his mother and his father, and keep My sabbaths: I the Lord am your God.” I admire this commandment because its interpretations from a historical perspective versus a modern perspective are almost exactly the same. Looking at it through a historical lens, not only does God explain that Jewish people must keep His day of rest, but they must honor their mother and father, no matter what. I have grown up with many Jewish values in my life, and one of them is the importance of family. This core ethic has not only grown with me but has also grown with the Jewish people, since the time of ויקרא י"ט. In my daily life, I fulfill this Mitzvah by always reminding myself to appreciate my parents. In addition, on many Friday nights, my family and I celebrate Shabbat, which is one way that I perform this Mitzvah. Celebrating Shabbat helps me reflect on the gratitude I have for my parents and the rest of my family. Thinking about how much I appreciate all that they have done for me is a very meaningful way for me to implement Mitzvot in my life and connect with my roots as a part of the Jewish community.

This is a very recent picture taken right as my parents showed up at Kibbutz Tzuba to visit me in Israel. Although we are not celebrating Shabbat, this image embodies the commandment “You shall each revere his mother and his father, and keep My sabbaths: I the Lord am your God” perfectly. Before I left for four months in Israel, I found myself having difficulty appreciating my mother and father as much as I should have. I would get frustrated easily, and I would always want space. Being away from them has taught me how grateful I am to have them around when they are here. The minute I saw them, my heart rushed with love, and I realized how thankful I am to have them in my life. In conclusion, this cherished Mitzvah from ויקרא י"ט is very prevalent in my daily life, in the same way that it was important in the lives of the ancient Jewish people.