Beautifying a Mitzvah
Beautifying a Mitzvah
Created by Rabbi Shari Shamah, Jewish Life Specialist
The idea of beautifying a Mitzvah goes back to this verse from Torah:
עׇזִּ֤י וְזִמְרָת֙ יָ֔הּ וַֽיְהִי־לִ֖י לִֽישׁוּעָ֑ה זֶ֤ה אֵלִי֙ וְאַנְוֵ֔הו אֱלֹהֵ֥י אָבִ֖י וַאֲרֹמְמֶֽנְהוּ׃
יהוה is my strength and might;
God is become my deliverance.
This is my God and I will glorify God. (Exodus 15:2)
The first step in connecting with God is to do a Mitzvah.
Then, after we focus on the Mitzvah, we think about the intention and effort behind our action. This verse talks about glorifying God. What does it mean to glorify God?
Many have determined that the idea of glorifying God means going above and beyond. “Extra.”
How much more should we do?
That is to say you will be willing to hear God’s voice, which is the fulfillment of the mitzvot. (The author explains each phrase in the verse.) “And that which is honest in God’s eyes you will do”—“honest” means that you will perform God’s mitzvot with love and affection, and you will understand how to have in mind the awesome depth of God’s consciousness in order to do more than what is commanded you. You have been instructed by the honesty of your heart, for that is honest in the eyes of God. For example, to go beyond what is required for hiddur mitzvah (adorning the mitzvah) up to a third more than was commanded. …(Mei HaShiloach, Volume 1 Exodus, Beshalach, translation adapted from Sefaria)
Be “Extra”, but not more than 1/3 extra…
Hiddur Mitzvah is quantitative, and qualitative:
כבד את ה’ מהונך (משלי ג ט) אתה קונה ארגז לשמור כסף וזהב יותר יש לך לקנות ארגז נאה להצניע ספריך ותפילין. כבד את ה’ מהונך ממה שהנאך יש לך קול ערב מצוה להתפלל. זה אלי ואנוהו התנאה לפניו במצות אתרוג נאה ולולב נאה וסוכה נאה וטלית נאה כן תעשה לכל חפצי ה’:
“Honor the Lord with thy substance” (Prov. 3:9). You buy a box to safeguard your silver and gold, better that you buy a lovely box to safekeep your books and phylacteries (Tefillin). “Honor the Lord with thy substance,” from that which God provides for your pleasure. If you possess a sweet voice it is meritorious to lead in prayer. “This is my God and I will glorify God” (Exod. 15:2). Make yourself pleasing to God with deeds i.e., a beautiful citron (etrog), a beautiful palm branch, a beautiful booth, a beautiful prayer shawl, and so shall you do for all of God’s requirements. (Sefer Chasidim, Siman 129)
This text specifically calls out ritual items needed for doing a mitzvah. Things like Tefillin, Talit, lulav and etrog, and a beautiful sukkah. Candlesticks, a kiddush cup, a Hanukkah menorah are also included in this idea. Essentially, the things that are related to Jewish holidays are the things that we should invest in to honor God and make special.
What about the aesthetics of the things that hold or surround the ritual items? Is there space for us to beautify that as well?
Flowers for Shabbat tables, decorative matchbox covers used to light Shabbat candles, elaborate boxes to hold the Etrog all can be a part of our honor of God.
What else might fall in this category?
Can Flowers elevate our Jewish life?
This verse from Song of Songs often speaks of the love and relationship between God and Israel and includes mention of flowers.
כְּשֽׁוֹשַׁנָּה֙ בֵּ֣ין הַחוֹחִ֔ים כֵּ֥ן רַעְיָתִ֖י בֵּ֥ין הַבָּנֽוֹת׃
Like a lily among thorns,
So is my darling among the maidens. (Song of Songs 2:2)
Here also:
הַתְּאֵנָה֙ חָֽנְטָ֣ה פַגֶּ֔יהָ וְהַגְּפָנִ֥ים ׀ סְמָדַ֖ר נָ֣תְנוּ רֵ֑יחַ ק֥וּמִי (לכי) [לָ֛ךְ] רַעְיָתִ֥י יָפָתִ֖י וּלְכִי־לָֽךְ׃ {ס}
The green figs form on the fig tree,
The vines in blossom give off fragrance.
Arise, my darling;
My fair one, come away! (Song of Songs 2:13)
How can you honor and glorify God?
What feelings are evoked when you go above and beyond to decorate and make things special?
Does this enhance or change your feelings about the holiday itself?