Live your life knowing that during every moment, others will see your actions as representing Jews and Judaism.

In today’s day and age, Jews are more in the limelight than ever before, sometimes for good and sometimes for other, more nefarious reasons. Part of avoiding desecrating God’s name is to think before acting. To better appreciate what is at stake, read this illuminating analysis entitled: “Sanctifying God’s Name” from Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald’s Torah message for Emor 5773-2013.

Aside from contemplating the need to avoid desecrating God’s name, we should also consider the long-term implications of our actions on ourselves, personally. Consider the adage found in the beginning of the third chapter of Pirkei Avot, Ethics of the Fathers that Jews the world over will study this Shabbat, “… mark well three things and you will not come into the power of sin: know from where you come, and where you are going, and before whom you are destined to give an account and reckoning.”

Out of respect for Shabbat, please consider printing out both Rabbi Buchwald’s Torah Message and the 3rd chapter of Pirkei Avot on Friday afternoon if you plan to read them on Shabbat.