Tikkun Olam
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the nd its meaning over timeGarden of Eden to work it and take care of it”. (Genesis 2:15)
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it”. (Psalm 24:1)
These two passages suggest that everything belongs to God and us, humans “to work it and to protect it”. Tikkun Olam means repairing the world. It means protecting and cultivating, mending, healing the world. The root of the term “repair” (Tikkun) suggests that something is ‘broken’, not right, and it needs fixing. Why? Why is it broken? What is broken and needs fixing? How do begin to fix it?
Tikkun Olam
תׅיקוּן עוׄלׇﬦ
In biblical times, the idea was for Adam and Eve to take care of the garden and NOT do what they were clearly instructed not to do. After they sinned, Tikkun Olam was meant for bringing it closer to the harmonious state for which it was created. In the Mishnah, the term Tikkun Olam is used as the motive behind social legislation meant to improve upon society. That means building homes and families, and creating a civil society filled with deeds of caring and compassion, sustained by justice, integrity, and peace. Today, the term is often used around social policy issues and safeguard of those who may be at a disadvantage. Furthermore, Tikkun Olam has become a synonym to the notion of social action, Tzedek (pursuit of social justice), and environmental awareness as a mission for every human being.
Another take is that Tikkun Olam implies that while the world is innately good, its Creator purposely left room for us to improve upon His work.
Think about it...
Which of the above resonate with you the most? Can give an example of Tikkun Olam? Do you think Tu B’shavat has anything to do with Tikkun Olam? Explain.
