How to Run a Traditional Jewish Household

Thus, the individual overcomes the isolation of the “I” and bonds with all living Jews. In the community, each generation overcomes the isolation of the “now” and links to the generations that have gone before and to those that will come after it. Because the goal of perfection cannot be achieved in one generation, the covenant is, of necessity, a

a core purpose of Jewish law is to articulate those limits, helping us discipline ourselves without becoming ascetics and enjoy ourselves without becoming hedonists.

Remembering Jeremiah, the sages formulated a third way: to sustain their faith through institutions that (unlike the Temple) could be established anywhere – the synagogue, the school, the house of study and the home. In the meanwhile they would practise what today would be called active citizenship in the countries of their dispersion.