At the heart of Judaism is the commandment להיות קדושים--to be kadosh (holy). But how is a person to do that? And how does a nation do that? The answer to that question is found in the "How-to Book of Jewish Living" - the Torah. The Torah is filled with guideliness for how the Jewish people can reach the goal of being a holy people. These guidelines are the mitzvot, the commandments, which shape a Jewish life.

There are mitzvot that teach how we should:

• take care of the earth

• teach our children

• honor parents and teachers

• visit the sick

• be honest and trustworthy

• observe shabbat and celebrate the holidays

• be kind to animals

• avoid being wasteful

• perform ritual commandments

• build a just society

These mitzvot are the basis of the values which we teach our students. At its core, Judaism is a religion that challenges people to act on their beliefs. The mitzvot set our actions into play.

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