Is being organized considered a mitzvah? Are we commanded by Hashem to be organized? In short, the answer is no – being organized is not one of the 613 commandments. However, this does not mean that organization is unimportant. In this article, we will explore how being organized can be understood as both a middah (character trait) and a meta-principle. As a middah, it reflects a valuable personal quality that enhances one’s character. As a meta-principle, it serves as an overarching concept that supports and underpins the effective practice of other commandments. We will then consider how organization fits into the broader hashkafa (philosophical outlook) of Judaism, reflecting the idea that life is purposeful and meaningful.
Harnessing the Power of Organization: A Key Trait for Managing Lifeโs Responsibilities
Middot are character traits or virtues that shape one’s behavior and interactions. While there may not be a direct commandment to be organized, having a trait of organization aligns with broader ethical values such as diligence, responsibility, and efficiency.
Often in life, Jewish women find themselves juggling multiple responsibilities. We may need to balance our work, care for our children, nurture our marriages, manage household duties, and fulfill communal obligations. In such a busy life, being organized becomes essential. It helps us manage our time and resources more effectively, allowing us to handle these various responsibilities with greater ease and efficiency. Staying organized allows us to remain calm and level-headed, preventing us from becoming overwhelmed and ensuring that everything remains balanced. Additionally, being organized helps us become more trustworthy, caring, and responsible. It allows us to plan ahead and consider the needs of others, ensuring we can keep our commitments and more reliably meet our obligations to those around us.
A similar principle is illustrated in the advice given by Moshesโ father-in-law, Yitro, who said:
ืึทืึนึผึืืึถืจ ืึนืชึตึฅื ืึนืฉึถืึื ืึตืึธึืื ืึนืึพืืึนืึ ืึทืึธึผืึธึืจ ืึฒืฉึถืึฅืจ ืึทืชึธึผึื ืขึนืฉึถึฝืืื ื ึธืึนึฃื ืชึดึผืึนึผึื ืึทึผืึพืึทืชึธึผึื ืึทึผืึพืึธืขึธึฅื ืึทืึถึผึื ืึฒืฉึถืึฃืจ ืขึดืึธึผึืึฐ ืึดึผึฝืึพืึธืึตึคื ืึดืึฐึผืึธึ ืึทืึธึผืึธึืจ ืึนืึพืชืึผืึทึฅื ืขึฒืฉึนืึืืึผ ืึฐืึทืึถึผึฝืึธื
But Mosheโ father-in-law said to him, โThe thing you are doing is not right; you will surely wear yourself out, and these people as well. For the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. (Shemot 18:17-18)
Yitroโs advice to Moshe highlights the importance of organization and delegation. Just as Moshe was advised to appoint capable leaders to help manage the people, we, too, can benefit from delegating tasks and responsibilities. In order to stay organized and avoid becoming overwhelmed, itโs essential to recognize when to seek help and distribute responsibilities. For instance, hiring a cleaner to manage household chores or enlisting help with childcare can significantly reduce stress and free up time for other responsibilities. This approach ensures that we can manage our various duties more effectively, maintain balance in our lives, and fulfill our obligations without undue stress.
Organization as a Foundation for Observing Mitzvot
In Judaism, every form of avodah, service of Hashem, has a prescribed seder (order) to ensure it is performed correctly and effectively. Organization therefore acts as a meta-principle that underpins the observance of various mitzvot, influencing how we approach and fulfill these commandments in our daily lives. By maintaining order, we can carry out our religious duties and responsibilities more efficiently, with greater precision and a more structured mindset.
Thus, organization plays a critical role in our ability to fulfill mitzvot. By staying organized and attentive, we ensure that we can recognize and act upon opportunities to perform commandments effectively and promptly. This structured approach helps us uphold our religious obligations with sincerity and precision, reinforcing the value of both organization and timely action in our avodat Hashem.
This concept is illuminated by the verse โAnd you shall watch over the Matzotโ (Exodus 12:17). The Midrash (Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael) offers a deeper interpretation. Rabbi Yoshiyah explains that the verse should be read not merely as โAnd you shall watch over the matzot,โ but as โAnd you shall watch over the mitzvot.โ Just as matzot must be carefully guarded from becoming chametz, so too must mitzvot be carefully safeguarded from becoming chametz. This means that when an opportunity to perform a mitzvah arises, we should act promptly and not let the opportunity pass by.
Thus, organization plays a critical role in our ability to fulfill mitzvot. By staying organized and attentive, we ensure that we can recognize and act upon opportunities to perform commandments effectively and promptly. This structured approach helps us uphold our religious obligations with sincerity and precision, reinforcing the value of both organization and timely action in our avodat Hashem.
This principle of order is particularly embodied in the Pesach Seder, which is so named because of the specific seder it follows. The Seder, meaning “order” in Hebrew, refers to the meticulously organized sequence of rituals and recitations that structure the Passover meal. Each step of the Seder – from the Kadesh (recitation of Kiddush) to the Nirtzah (conclusion and singing of psalms) – serves a purpose in recounting the Exodus and reinforcing the themes of freedom and redemption. The Seder’s structured approach highlights the significance of order in religious practice, showing how a well-defined sequence enhances both the effectiveness of performing the mitzvot and the depth of their spiritual impact.
Organization as a Reflection of Order and Intentionality in Life
One final aspect of organization to consider is its hashkafic dimension, which relates to a broader philosophical outlook on life. Here, organization transcends mere practicality and reflects a deeper understanding of existence and purpose. From this perspective, organization represents more than just a method for managing tasks; it embodies a sense of order and meaning in life. This viewpoint is rooted in the belief that the universe and our lives are governed by Divine order and intentionality. By being organized, we align ourselves with this Divine structure, affirming our commitment to live with intention and clarity.
Being organized helps us approach daily life with purpose. It enables us to prioritize tasks, set goals, and create a structured plan for achieving them. This approach ensures that we actively engage in lifeโs challenges with purpose rather than merely reacting to circumstances.
In conclusion, while organization may not be a commandment in itself, it is a crucial element that supports the effective practice of mitzvot and the management of our daily responsibilities. It embodies the values of order and purpose, helping us live with greater intention and balance.
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