Rabbi’s Corner – Labor Day Edition

Dear Friends,

There’s an old joke about the paradox of Labor Day being a day where no work
actually gets done, since as a national holiday, most employees are off from
work. Of course we are not celebrating labor as “work” but the labor movement.
In particular, Labor Day was a concession by President Cleveland to pacify
workers after the Pullman riots of 1893-4.

In the words of union leader Samuel Gompers, Labor Day was to be, “the day for
which the toilers in past centuries looked forward, when their rights and their
wrongs would be discussed…that the workers of our day may not only lay down
their tools of labor for a holiday, but upon which they may touch shoulders in
marching phalanx and feel the stronger for it.” Of course these days Labor Day
is less about appreciating the labor movement, mobilizing against injustice,
or meditating on the labor issues of the day, but it now represents the end of
summer and the time when wearing white is no longer considered socially
acceptable.

Like many events and special days in our calendar the original intent has been
lost, or changed beyond recognition due for social reasons. For example, Rosh
Hashana which begins next week has a different meaning for everyone ranging
from the familial to the spiritual. However, Rosh Hashana is essentially our
Labor Day – where we join together with all Jews to celebrate our work of
avodat hashem.

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Josh Yuter