Boker Tov Image of God TB Shavuot 36

We believe that words create reality for then God created the entire universe by speaking into being! We should be very careful the words we choose especially when it comes to curses. Today’s daf TB Shavuot 36 highlights the issue of self-dignity.

“The mishna teaches: One who curses himself or another employing any of these names or appellations of God violates a prohibition…

The Gemara proceeds to cite sources for these prohibitions. The prohibition against cursing oneself is derived as it is written: “Only observe for yourself, and keep your soul diligently” (Deuteronomy 4:9). This is in accordance with that which Rabbi Avin says that Rabbi Ile’a says: Everywhere in the Torah that the terms observe, lest, or do not are stated, it is nothing other than a prohibition. One who curses himself does not keep, i.e., take care of, himself and consequently violates the prohibition. And cursing another is derived as it is written: “Do not curse the deaf” (Leviticus 19:14), which applies to others just as it does to one who is deaf.” (Sefaria.org translation)

Concerning the above Gemara, my friend Danny Siegel wrote in his book Gym Shoes and Irises Book 2:

One who curses himself… transgresses a negative commandment (Shevu’ot 35a)

Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said:

An entourage of angels always walks in front of people,

with messengers calling out.

And what do they say?

“Make way for the image of the holy one!” (Deuteronomy Rabba, Re’eh 4)

 

“The first text reminds us that, as there are negatives in Jewish tradition which we are instructed to avoid (stealing, giving false testimony, murder, and the like), so too, the list includes not treating oneself with less dignity than one is entitled to “by definition”. The definition: by being created in God’s image, one’s Self Image is the image of God and to be treated accordingly. Considering and treating oneself as a worthless entity or as a tradable commodity would not be particularly consistent with Jewish values. This is one text which, I believe ought to be taught more frequently in our religious schools.

“The second text, also not taught sufficiently in the schools, reminds us to look upon every other person we encounter in this light of Divine Image. By extension, we ought to listen to the Angels walking in front of ourselves, as a constant reminder to ourselves, too, are made in the Image. Not wishing to sound like the Wise Old Sage, I was still mention a most practical situation where this applies: when teachers and professors degrade or berate students, the student should never fall prey to doubts thinking that he or she is worthless. This applies to the workplace also. These, and other texts, teach us that we are never worthless, nor unworthy of anything less than paying a vital role in the Grand Scheme of Things. Torah and Tzedakkah work teach us how just vital we all are.” (Page 23-24)

A Reform educator taught in the workshop that I attended that when we looked in a mirror first thing in the morning we should say: “Boker Tov Image of God” to start the day off on the right foot. When I taught this to my congregants, one came to me afterwards and said that’s a much better way to start the day than looking in the mirror and saying: “Boy, you look like shit.”