Unfortunately I had to attend my Aunt’s funeral on Tuesday. While this was a difficult time for my family, it also provided some reflection time which I think is much-needed for all of us amidst the hustle and bustle of our daily lives.

613

During the Minyan, a traditional Jewish prayer service held at the home of the mourners, the Rabbi gave a brief speech in which he talked about the 613 “mitzvot,” or good deeds, that are part of the Jewish faith. “Why so many?  No one could possibly do all 613,” he asked.

One a Day

The reason, he explained, was not so that one person could do all of them, but so that everyone could do at least one. The idea was that anyone who made any effort to be a good person couldn’t help but do at least one good deed, and that knowing that one can be a good person so easily inspires more good people doing more good deeds every day.

Using the Internet for Good

The Internet provides a similar opportunity. With all the functions and possibilities that the Internet allows, one only has to want to use it for something good to make that happen every day. Whether it’s sending an e-mail to a good friend you haven’t had contact with in awhile, ordering flowers for one's mother or circulating a petition to help protect the environment, the Internet can be an unending source of good for society if we just let it.

What will your e-Mitzvah be today?