Sunday, May 5, 2013

Devoted to What?

Sacred cows. Everyone has them, some are more sacred than others. In every business there exists these ideals that never get conflicted and always stay apart from the business side.

Where did this idea come from, that something could be so untouchable? What is the benefit to us to maintain them?

This week's parsha, the latter half of bechukotai, ends with the following from 27:28:

28However, anything that a man devotes to the Lord from any of his property whether a person, an animal, or part of his inherited field shall not be sold, nor shall it be redeemed, [for] all devoted things are holy of holies to the Lord.
 
כח. אַךְ כָּל חֵרֶם אֲשֶׁר יַחֲרִם אִישׁ לַיהֹוָה מִכָּל אֲשֶׁר לוֹ מֵאָדָם וּבְהֵמָה וּמִשְּׂדֵה אֲחֻזָּתוֹ לֹא יִמָּכֵר וְלֹא יִגָּאֵל כָּל חֵרֶם קֹדֶשׁ קָדָשִׁים הוּא לַיהֹוָה:

If you have devoted something to Hashem it is put aside, all alone, to exist solely for this exercise in thanks.

Naturally few people put anything aside at their office in such a fashion, but how many documents or directives are almost written in reverential stone? Who says a tech person can not call the client and discuss something of a sales nature? Likewise who says the sales people should not provide help in areas they have a background?

Too often we find ourselves stuck in the middle between what we want to do but something is in our way. This obstacle is there to remind us that there is a better way to accomplish our task and we need to be respectful of why these rules exist. It can be for the greater good of the people and the office if you have some lines of respect within the organization. The Torah upholds these offerings to bring you good tidings that would otherwise not be to your benefit.

=========================================================
Parsha Behar, Bechukotai in the book of Vayikra Leviticus 25:1-26:2 26:3-27:34
It is said that the Torah or Bible could be interpreted in over 70 ways. More likely these days 100's of ways. In light of this idea, I am writing some posts that bring a business sense to what we can learn on a weekly basis. Enjoy, Shabbat Shalom

No comments:

Post a Comment