LABOR DAY

With nearly 14 million people out of work, and no signs of a vigorous economic recovery on the horizon, the nation must look to leadership in Washington for direction.

The Torah teaches, The greatest charity is to give a person the opportunity to have a job and be self-sufficient. In the time of the Talmud-Book of Law, people had workers who were also slaves; the word Aved means both Slave and Worker. What is the difference?

The laws of slavery are similar to the contracts between modern day employers and workers; the slave holder had to provide sustenance and medical care for the worker's entire family – the worker can not be forced to work, but at a job from their profession.

The word Aved/Worker-Slave is also used in describing service to the Creator – binding ourselves in servitude to the Most High, working constantly to perform the Commandments of the Creator. The Midrash-Book of Metaphor says, God created a work for each individual to love.

Work, spiritual and physical, is a necessity to the human being who is defined by their work. Work give purpose to life; without work freedom and rest would be meaningless. The greatest freedom is to work at what you love – all else, is servitude to the man.