The Cleaning Lady

by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine

The offerings, or Korbanos as they were called, were an integral part of the service in the Sanctuary and later in the Beis Hamikdash. Besides the daily offerings that were brought by the nation, there were a variety of Korbanos that could be offered by the individual. There was the sin offering for one who had done something wrong, the thanksgiving offering for one who had been deathly ill and was now well, and the “just because I love you, G-d” offering for one who simply wanted to express his spiritual passion.

Even more basic than the technicalities of these offerings, is the very concept of self awareness. What we do makes a difference, and the offerings- be they sin, thanksgiving, or “just because”- reflect that self awareness. A wrongdoing is addressed. Appreciation is expressed. And passion should not remain unnoticed.

Self awareness means that “How am I doing?” is not just a question for politicians or employees. “How am I doing?” is a question for everyone, as we realize that each of us is leaving an ecological imprint on the world. “Is my imprint good, bad, or passionate?” is an important question for everyone to ask.

On one of my trips on the train to Center City, Philadelphia, I found myself sitting behind two women who were conversing loudly. From their noisy conversation, which I could not help but overhear, I understood that they were cleaning ladies. I found their perspectives most intriguing.

“I really find my job most stressful,” one of them said. “I come into different homes and I have to remember exactly where things are kept so that I can return them to their places after I clean and dust.”

“I don’t keep track of where things are kept at all,” the second lady replied. “In fact, even if I remembered where it was kept I wouldn’t put it back there anyway. If I put everything back exactly the way it was, no one would know that I was there. The way I do it, everyone has to look for their things after I am done. This way they know that I was there.”

While I am hesitant to comment on cleaning lady strategies, I believe that the second lady’s perspective is an accurate one regarding life. None of us leave the “room” exactly the way we found it. Wherever a human being goes, change is in the air.

The time preceding the holiday of Pesach is a time of change. It was in this season that our ancestors changed from being slaves to becoming a holy nation. Instead of merely responding to the demands of their taskmasters, the Jews went on to become trendsetters for humanity.

Through self awareness we too can change in a good way when we recognize what kind of ecological imprint we are leaving. Are we smiling more at people than we are critiquing them? Or is it the other way around?

Change is in the air… as we consider the question: Will others have to do clean up for the mess we make, or are we leaving the “room” cleaner than we found it?

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