It's a Mitzvah

[Rae Kridel]

In Judaism, it's called a Mitzvah. The word can have a number of different meanings, one of which is "commandment" and another is "covenant." But when someone says that it's a mitzvah, it means something like "righteous good deed." Sort of, there's not really a good translation. It's definitely not charity, because charity denotes that you're helping because it makes you feel like you've helped, or because you feel sorry for them. With a mitzvah, there's no pity involved. You do it because it's right, and because it's good. It's the right thing to do. Which is where commandment comes in. If you can help, you are commanded to help. God and society expect it of you.

So here's how you can do a mitzvah. Our good friend Cissi Sherlock has posted on here a number of times about donating cell phones that you're no longer using, because you got a new free one when you signed up for another year, or because you HAD to have an iPhone, or you wanted a smaller, lighter Blackberry. The phones are part of Operation "Open UP!" which secures donated phones, has them refitted with a new SIM card and pre-paid service donated by a provider, and gives the phones to those who need them. They could be women who have fled abusive relationships and need to be reachable for housing or job opportunities. They could be homeless people who are waiting to hear about a job that can provide them with income and take them and their families off the street. They could be veterans who are home now, and need to be in touch about a job or place to live. They could be ex-offenders who are back in society and need to have somewhere an employer can reach them, so they don't have to resort to crime and return to prison. Cissi and the team at Operation "Open UP!" have a waiting list of people who need phones, but no phones to provide. I personally have donated seven, but I'm only one person and I'm tapped out right now.

This is where you come in. It costs you nothing. It takes almost no effort. These are phones that would end up in the trash, or collect dust in a forgotten drawer anyway. Why not do some good? Pull out the SIM card, track down the charger, make sure it has a battery, and give Cissi a call or drop her an e-mail. She'll happily skip to wherever you are and take it off your hands. Even better, take a box to work and do a collection among your co-workers or take a box to church and ask your fellow congregants to donate theirs. Just ask people to put the phone and charger in a ziplock or tied plastic bag so they don't get separated. I'm taking a box to my synagogue tomorow to start a collection. She can be reached via her profile here on SI or you can e-mail her at [e-mail] when you have a phone for her.

Thanks everyone.

[Cissi Sherlock]

I cry!

Thank you.

[Amy Stark]

Nice post, Rae. I enjoyed your explanation of Mitzvah, and will donate a couple of phones I have lying around the house. Thanks for reminding us how easy it is to do some good and make a difference in the world.