Tikkun Olam–Repairing the World one Step at a Time

When the Holy One, blessed be God, created the first human...God said to Adam, 'See my works how good and praiseworthy they are?  And all that I have created I made for you. [But] Be mindful then that you do not spoinl and destroy My world - for if you do spoil it, there is no one after you to repair it." 

Kohelet Rabbah 7:13 

Jewish tradition teaches us to avoid damaging the work of Creation, the world.  Small acts of kindness can make a difference.  When we help even one person, we contribute to the repair of the whole world. 

In the Jewish tradition, the action of Tikkun Olam is more than a suggestion.  It is the guiding principle behind many of our Mitzvot-- positive commandments.  As parents, it is our role to teach our children that doing mitzvot and being Jewish go hand in hand.  Furthermore, we must impress upon them that there is no such thing as a small mitzvah.  A child who learns this lesson early on, who learns and sees from his actions that he is not helpless to make his world a better place will carry this lesson in his heart, mind and hands for the rest of his life.