WONDROUS IDEA: Heed your Guiding Principle (Quick, what is it?)

The famous rabbi, Hillel, was once asked what he considered to be the Torah’s guiding principle. His response was brief but eternally memorable: “What is hateful to you, do not do to someone else.”

This was Hillel’s guiding principle, his “Clal Gadol.”  There are many others.

A few years ago, a rabbi once collected a random sampling from friends on what their guiding principle might be. Here are some of the responses:

“A little modesty goes a long way.”

“Never hide your intelligence.”

“Failure is good for you.”

“Never settle for less than you deserve.”

“Know when to ask for help.”

“A true friend helps bury the body.”

“Don’t be an idiot.”

“Don’t argue with a fool.”

“The food you eat affects your skin.”

“Hard work is everything.”

“Admit your mistakes.”

“Real wealth isn’t found in the bank.”

“It’s just as easy to love a rich man, as it is a poor man.”

Words to live by... (at least for some!)

For me, my “Clal Gadol” would have to be the phrase my mother hammered into my head from the time I was a child: “Zei a Mensch – be a Mensch!” Rabbi Aaron Wise z”l told this on the Bimah to my often out-of-control cousin on the occasion of his Bar Mitzvah. (A lot of good it did.)

However, my mother, sitting in the congregation shepping nachas for her crazy nephew - did internalize the rabbi’s words and forever pressed her children to always behave accordingly.

Of course, a person can have more than one guiding principle. My late mentor, Kenneth Renn z”l, had four. They took the form of four questions, and he found great meaning and guidance by trying to live his life accordingly. I share them with you here:

“What can be given that wasn’t?”

“What can be shared that would comfort?”

“What can be done that would repair?”

“What can be said that would open our hearts and bring us together?”

It’s a little longer than “Zei a Mensch” but it works.

And you? What is your guiding principle, your “Clal Gadol”? To what extent does it guide your daily actions? Whatever it is, I would love for you to share it with me.

Passover is a time of new beginnings. It's about navigating our lives to a new and better place. What better time to polish off our "Clal Gadol" and put it to good use!

Wishing you and yours a Happy Pesach, or as we say in Hebrew, Chag Kasher v'Sameach.