When did it become acceptable -- heck, admirable -- for people to shout hateful, ugly words at other people, simply because they disagree on politics, or religion, or love, or ... well, you name it.
Whatever happened to manners? We don't have to agree, but can't we get along? Can't we at least be civil?
In my ever-optimistic hope that we can, I'm devoting this week's CI blogs to one piece of Jewish momma advice: Be a mensch.
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a mensch is a person of integrity and honor.
According to the Urban Dictionary, a mensch is an upstanding, worthy, honorable adult person of either sex.
According to My Jewish Learning, a mensch is literally "man," an honorable, decent, stand-up person, as in, "I don't care who you marry, as long as he's a mensch."
Let's start the week by agreeing on our own definition. I'll start the discussion -- I hope you'll share your ideas/definitions. I'm going to say: A mensch is a decent, honorable, thoughtful human being who demonstrates care and concern about other human beings.
Throughout the week, I'll give you examples of mensches -- along with easy ways you can be a mensch. And, if all goes as planned, we'll wrap it up with a Mensch Manifesto on Friday.
Now, go have a great week! Be a trendsetter. Be a mensch.
3 comments:
Mensch: An endangered species of human. But with care and nurturing and best set examples in daily life it is predicted that their numbers shall increase,
A mensch is a "stand up" person in my estimation, one who puts decency, human dignity and respect first. A mensch knows and acts as though "the other" is also created in God's image.
Examples of being a Mensch:
1) The two young men who rushed to the aid of a stranger when her chair suddenly collapsed at an outdoor concert
2) A mensch is the man who helped me on when my jacket when I was struggling
3) a mensch is the stranger who helped me open a package when he saw me struggling
4) a mensch is the person who rushes to help someone struggling without being asked
Post a Comment