Summertime and the living is easy, so the central song from Porgy and Bess teaches us. But Minnesota summers are far from easy. This is the time for sweat, we go outside to mow lawns, to plant and to enjoy the sun. And each time, we sweat.
Tradition elevates the sweat of our brows to divine task. Our entire relationship with creation is work. As we evolved in the Garden of Eden, we became responsible to care for the Earth, and to sweat in the process. Genesis 3:19 reminds us: “With the sweat of your brow you shall eat bread, until you return to the ground, for you were taken therefrom, for dust you are, and to dust you will return.”
Indeed, it is a mitzvah is to take care of, and improve our physical selves through exercise and good nutrition. The story is told in Leviticus Rabbah:
“Once, when the sage Hillel had finished a lesson with his students, he proceeded to walk along with them. ‘Master, they asked, where are you going?’
Hillel answered, ‘To perform a religious duty.’
‘Which duty is that?’
‘To bathe in the bathhouse.’
They asked, Is that a religious duty?’
Hillel answered Yes! Somebody who is appointed to scour and wash the statues of the king that stand in the theaters is paid for the work, and is even associated with the nobility, Hillel answered. Since that is so, how much more should I, who am created in the image and likeness of God, scour and wash myself?”
Even as we focus on relationships and spiritual matters, we are also to take care of our physical selves. Let us remember on this, the first day of summer that Judaism wants to see us sweat.