One Minute Mitzvahs: (Jewish Koans‪)‬ Brenda Shoshanna, Ph.d.

In the Haggadah of Passover (the Scripture of Passover), mention is made of the four sons. The Wise Son, the Wicked Son, the Simple Son, and the One Who Cannot  Even Ask A Question. All of these sons are part of us and yet the one who  most do not recognize or understand the power of is THE SIMPLE SON.  Who is he/she? Why is their point of view and contribution not only to the Seder, but to our lives so important?  Of course everyone wants to be the Wise one... But The Simple Son is asking us what true wisdom is and how to attain it?  How to look not only at the Seder, but at the world and difficulties that confront of every day. In the first of a series of podcasts we will meet the SIMPLE SON and see how  he can and will  not only touch the heart of Judaism, but enhance your life.

How in the world can we live without gossip? What would our relationships be? If we watch closely, most of our conversations are telling tales about others, and listening to gossip about them as well. There seems to be no end to it. When a group of students received a one week task of not gossiping or listening to gossip, they said they amazed. It was impossible to go to lunch, or join in most conversations. Naturally gossip (and slander) seems ordinary, harmless enough. But they are not. They weave a web of resentment, pain and cruelty. This web harms others and oneself in so many ways. One of our great One Minute Mitzvahs and acts of kindness is simply not to gossip. Or listen to the gossip of others.  As we stop tearing others apart, we then can use that energy to find ways to build up the world. What a wonderful mitzvah, and koan. Try even for a few days and see.

This wonderful, one minute mitzvah, is incredibly powerful. It asks us to stop and take note of the ways in which we create stumbling blocks and obstacles for others and ourselves unconsciously, all the time. Mitzvahs are not only here to protect and care for others, they are wake up calls. They ask us to become aware, to recognize what's going on, and to take a moment to stop and change our action, thoughts or words. 
And what a moment it is. Although we may not realize it, these are atomic, powerful, unfailing directions. They guide us through confusion and fog to bring light and clarity into the day. They heal our confusion. Doing this particular mitzvah asks that we become aware of what is a stumbling block and how we actually create them. As we recognize that,  it's easy to stop. And to protect and to heal all lives. 

This wonderful mitzvah asks us to be Mindful of what just seems to be lying around. Is it an object that has been lost and belongs to someone? It takes only a minute to stop, pick the object up, care for it and return it to the owner. Return it to its Source. The mitzvah may take you on a journey that takes more than a minute...but your own awareness is opened in a minute. You stop racing, focusing only upon yourself, and see that a loss has taken place, and you may be the one to heal it.  According to the teachings, each object includes part of its owner. By returning the object you are making things whole once again. This mitzvah applies not only to objects, but to people who are lost as well. Help them return to their owners, to their Source, to their true home.

As the lights grow stronger each night of Hannukah,   we can accompany the candle lighting process by discovering and performing another mitzvah, day by day. Remember it only takes on minute to do. And this minute can expand  to days, as the Hannukah lights do. A spark of light which starts small on one night, grows and grows naturally. 
Most do not realize that it is actually a Mitzvah to be happy. In other words happiness creates a channel for the light to come to us, in many forms, of warm, clarity, love, guidance, and certainly as protection from confusion and harm.  
As we learn about this Mitzvah, we also discover that happiness is not just a feeling that can come and go, but an inevitable outcome of a certain way of seeing and perceiving our life. There are many ways of being happy and also giving happiness to others. And, as we do so, a sense of deep well being, and fulfillment arises. Our happiness becomes a foundation from which joy arises and loving kindness to all. 
What a beautiful Mitzvah to fulfill, during the journey of light we are on.