by Jack Langner
This year in Hebrew School when we, the confirmation class, met with Rabbi Weber, we discussed our personal code for living, or ethics. Every week we had different questions given to us that forced us to think of how we would face challenges in the future. After seven months of developing my personal ethics, I now have a clear path to my future endeavors. By treating people with respect and admiration I will attempt to be the best person I can.
Regarding people that I am familiar with, and acquaintances, I will vow to treat the aforementioned with the utmost respect. I can do this not only by saying “please” and “thank you,” but by other means as well. This can be accomplished by not stealing from anyone. This may seem simple, but it’s very difficult and requires an understanding of what stealing encompasses. Along with the definition of taking what doesn’t belong to you, cheating is a part of stealing, because cheating allows you to advance yourself unfairly and take an opportunity that does not belong to you. So, just as the definition says cheating is stealing, it is for this reason that I will never do either. Also, I have a tremendous respect for
my body because of my involvement in sports. It is because of this self-respect that I will not do anything that could cause bodily damage, like drinking, smoking, or anything of the sort. On top of that, I believe in respecting others opinions because it helps to see the entire picture of any issue. When you can see the whole argument, it is easy to make good decisions. As evidenced by what I have said, I find it very important to respect people and myself as it could help to improve one’s quality of life.
My ethics involve hard work and the determination to accomplish a goal. The resolve to fulfill goals is clearly evident in my schoolwork and athletics. Every day, I put in nearly six hours in the classroom to grow as a student and prepare myself for the future. On top of that, I work diligently to finish class work and homework so that I can reinforce topics that will help to guide my future. I have put blood, sweat, and tears on the track to make myself better because I have the innate determination to make myself better. It is for this reason I put days of work in; it is part of who I am. Furthermore, I fully believe this tenacity helps people to drive themselves to new limits and realize they are capable of more than they imagined. For this reason, I carry hard work in my personal ethics.
Rabbi Weber has given us many thought-provoking questions over the course of seven months to help develop our ethics. Even though many different topics were presented, those relating to respect and hard work resonated with me. I hold these principles close to my heart and therefore keep them as part of my personal code for living.