After studying Torah, and learning about the mitzvot, we can put into action the
Jewish values we have learned about. We may consider ourselves lucky to be able
to do this for there was one time in our history when we almost lost the precious
gift of Torah. About two thousand years ago, one man risked his life so that gener
ations of Jews after him would be able to study Torah. His heroic act enabled us to
continue the tradition of performing mitzvot.
Remembering the story of this brave man (whom you will read about in the first
chapter), inspired me to think about other Jews (some of whom are still alive) who
performed a courageous or heroic act that embodied a specific mitzvah.
Question: How will this book teach me about mitzvot?
Answer: This is a book about mitzvot and some great mitzvah doers. Heroes start
out as ordinary women and men. What makes them special is their determination
to accept responsibility and live according to high ideals. This path toward Jewish
responsibility begins with mitzvot. I hope that these true stories will inspire you to
become more responsible and to perform more and more mitzvot.
While I hope that the people portrayed in this book will serve as role models, this
book is really designed to help you think about the mitzvot in your own life. Think
about people you know who have fulfilled the different mitzvot in this book. Think
about how you might have responded had you been in the hero's place. Finally,
consider doing the activities (called Living the Mitzvah) that appear in each chapter.
Doing these activities will help you take your first simple mitzvah steps.
It was once said that the only reason why we may see farther than our ancestors
did is because we are standing on their shoulders. On the following pages are some
inspiring shoulders to stand on. I hope that they will help you see farther, so that
you may join in the Jewish people's efforts to repair and improve the world
according to God's plan.
