December: Trustworthiness The Hebrew word for Trustworthiness is Emunah Trustworthiness is behaving in ways that show others we can be trusted. We create this trust (emunah) by acting with integrity. What does Jewish tradition say about Trustworthiness? The Tosafot, 13 th century Talmudic commentators, explore the relationship between the term “emunah” and agriculture when they say, “The farmer who sows seeds places his faith/trust in the Lifegiver of All the Worlds, for he trusts that God will provide all that is needed for his crops to grow.” Rava, a 4 th generation Rabbi, said, “After death, when a person is brought to account for his life, [the first thing the Heavenly tribunal] says to him is: Did you conduct your business in a trustworthy way?” (Babylonian Talmud Shabbat 31A)

Mindfulness Guide This is an especially powerful mindfulness exercise to do with family members. Choose one person to read, or record yourself on a voice-memo and play it back so that you can all participate together. “Choose a partner and face one another. Gaze into your partner’s eyes. Don’t look away, and don’t worry about blinking; just maintain a soft gaze into each other’s eyes. Notice. What kinds of thoughts are floating across the surface of your mind? What are you feeling? Try not to judge your thoughts or feelings, just keep focused on your partner’s eyes and let the thoughts and feelings come and go as they will. Hold your gaze for three full minutes. When you are done, talk with your partner about what the experience was like. We are unaccustomed to holding eye contact for that long. Was it difficult? Scary? Calming? There is no one right way to feel.”

Ideas for Growth When thinking about emunah, it is helpful to ask ourselves these kinds of questions: Do I follow through on the commitments I make? Do I show up when I say I will? Do I keep my word? These are the kinds of behaviors that show others we are worthy of their trust. Can you think of other ways we can show trustworthiness? Questions for Family Discussion Look back at page 1 under “What Does Jewish Tradition Say about Trustworthiness”. Why do you think Rava says that trustworthiness in business is the first thing one is asked about after death?

Questions for Family Discussion continued: What are some things you do in your own life to show others that they can trust you? Who are the people in your life you trust the most? How did these people earn your trust? Are there people you don’t trust? Why do you think you don’t trust them? Is it important to you that others trust you? Why or why not? What do you need to rely on, or have trust in, to function well in your work, school, community or home? Are there things you can work on to make yourself a more trustworthy person? Portions of this month’s packet are taken from The Tikkun Middot Project Curriculum, Draft, October 2013