We often use the phrase 'good Jew.' Sometimes a person speaks of himself: "I am a good Jew," and sometimes people say this about others – he is a 'good Jew,' they are 'good Jews.'.
But what is a 'good Jew'?
Usually when people say 'good Jew' they mean 'good person.' An honest and decent Jew, who fulfills his duties to society, does not harm others and tries to help others - would be defined as a 'good Jew'.
But this is how every person on the globe should behave, not necessarily a Jew. Is a 'good person' the same as a 'good Jew'?
Fulfilling expectations
When someone is said to be 'good', one must first define the expectations of him. Does a 'good musician' mean a kind-hearted musician, and a 'good carpenter' a woodworker who helps others? This is clearly not the intention. A 'good musician' is someone who is good at music, a 'good carpenter' is someone who knows how to make high-quality wood products, and a 'good soldier' is someone who excels in his role as a soldier.
It is clear that the musician, the carpenter, and the soldier must also be good people. Every person is required to be an honest and decent person, sensitive to others, and ready to lend a helping hand in times of need. However, when we refer to being 'good' in our unique field, we mean excellence that goes beyond what is expected of any person in the world - excellence in our profession, our occupation, and so on.
Thus, the term Jew carries with it a higher level of expectations than is expected of any person.
It is clear that a Jew is first and foremost a human being, and must be a good person. But equally, an Englishman or a Russian, an Indian or an Arab, are required to be a 'good person.' When a Jew behaves in a way that qualifies him for the definition of a 'good person,' he fulfills what is required of him as a human being, but in addition to that, there is a whole system that is expected of him as a Jew.
At Mount Sinai, God chose the people of Israel to be His "special people." We were given the role of being: "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." If all human beings received only seven commandments (the "Seven Commandments of the Children of Noah"), we received 313 commandments. This is the level of demands on us, the members of the Jewish people.
A role and happiness by his side
Human duties are only a small part of the norms of behavior required of a Jew. Even within the commandments that are between man and man, there are higher demands on us (for example, all nations of the world are permitted to lend at interest; Jews are prohibited). And in addition to these commandments, we have been given many commandments in the realm between man and God – to observe Shabbat, eat kosher, wear tefillin, establish a mezuzah, study Torah, and so on.
'A 'good Jew' is one who applies his being part of the "kingdom of priests." This is a person whose daily life is also saturated with holiness and spiritual elevation. It is not enough that he does not touch the property of others, he also utilizes his own property as a Jew - giving charity, blessing food, shutting down his businesses on Shabbat, setting times for Torah. These things sanctify earthly life and are what make us 'good Jews.'.
Fulfilling our destiny also brings with it happiness and joy, with all the abundant blessings that the Creator of the world has promised for walking in His ways and keeping His commandments.
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