Deuteronomy 4:6 With regard to all these teachings, you are to keep them, you are to observe them, for they will be wisdom-for-you and understanding-for-you in the eyes of the peoples who, when they hear all these laws, will say: Only a wise and understanding people is this great nation!
In order to achieve wisdom and understanding we must “keep” and “observe” teachings.
The Torah reminds us that all learning is experiential. We must do and learn, evaluate, and then do and learn some more.
We are a laboratory people – experimenting in order to work on perfecting a better society.
In order to participate in collective efforts to fulfill the promise of a beloved community, we must never give up.
As Rabbi Tarfon taught in Pirkei Avot 2:21: “It is not your responsibility to finish the work, but neither are you at liberty to neglect it.”