What are beliefs about interpersonal relationships in Judaism?

Answer 1

From certain commands in the Torah, it becomes clear that our interpersonal relationships are supposed to mirror (as much as possible) the ways of God. The Torah prohibits slander or hatred (Leviticus ch.19), commands us to support the poor (Deuteronomy ch.15) and pay wages on time (Deuteronomy 24:15), and tells us to honor our parents (Exodus ch.20) and educate our children (Deuteronomy ch.6). The Talmud commands us to honor our wives (Bava Metzia 59a) and to avoid tyrannical behavior (Gittin 6b). We should behave so pleasantly that others feel like royalty (Tana Dvei Eliyahu ch.28) and God's name is glorified through us (Talmud, Yoma 86a).

Answer 2

From certain commands in the Torah, it becomes clear that our interpersonal relationships are supposed to mirror (as much as possible) the ways of God. The Torah prohibits slander or hatred (Leviticus ch.19), commands us to support the poor (Deuteronomy ch.15) and pay wages on time (Deuteronomy 24:15), and tells us to honor our parents (Exodus ch.20) and educate our children (Deuteronomy ch.6). The Talmud commands us to honor our wives (Bava Metzia 59a) and to avoid tyrannical behavior (Gittin 6b). We should behave so pleasantly that others feel like royalty (Tana Dvei Eliyahu ch.28) and God's name is glorified through us (Talmud, Yoma 86a). See also the Related Links.

Link: Community life in Judaism

Link: The Talmud

Answer 3

• Social Ethics: Judaism has an all-enveloping and passionate dedication to the ideal of justice. The moral imperatives of justice, ethics and morality were taught by the Torah and the Jewish prophets, so that they are religious ideals and obligations, rather than just good behavior. We are obligated to care for the poor (Deuteronomy 15:7-8), the widow, orphan and stranger (Exodus 22:20-21), the Levites (Deuteronomy 12:17-19) and the landless. We are also warned against corruption, bribery, misuse of power, and mistreatment of workers. The Torah specifies rights for women and other groups. The Torah teaches the ideal of justice for the benefit of society and the moral guidance of the individual. The relevant verses are mixed in with other Torah-topics so that the message is imbibed as part of the whole.

Related Link: Are non-Jews expected to keep these laws?

• Judaism addresses in depth and in detail the obligations of the individual and the community to other individuals. A Jew has a legal obligation to help someone in need (e.g. Leviticus 19:16, Exodus 23:5); and to be a bystander in such a case is a Torah-violation. Tradition states that every Jew should exhibit the characteristic of chesed, meaning the ability to go beyond the requirement of the law to help others. The Talmud states that mercy and kindness should be among the defining traits of every Jew (Talmud, Yevamot 79a).

• Personal Relationships: The rabbis stressed the necessity for people to help each other. In order to survive, all human beings must practice mutual aid. Rabbi Akiva qualifies that the initial duty of every person is to him/herself in order that s/he then be able to care for others.

• Compassion, humility, a charitable spirit, forgiveness and good manners are also desirable qualities of the Jew in personal relationships. The Jewish sages specified in detail the attributes which are expected of us.

Link: Jewish ethics

• Work and Business Ethics: Being ethical in business is an essential value in Judaism; such as paying workers on time (Leviticus 19:13), keeping honest weights and measures (Leviticus 19:36), and repaying damages (Exodus 22:4-5). These laws are discussed at great length in the Talmud. The Forefathers themselves were the earliest examples of this kind of carefulness, which has permeated the Torah ever since (for example, Genesis ch.31, and Rashi commentary on Genesis 24:10.)

Link: Israelite Forefathers

Link: How do the Scriptures and Talmud teach the Jewish ideas of justice?

Link: Judaism's influence

Answer 4

1) Love every Jew as if he was yourself

2) What you do not want done to you, do not do to another.