AN ANCIENT principle, tikkun olam, translated from the Hebrew as ‘repair of the world,’ provides today’s Jews - just as it did our ancestors - with guidance on how to respond to inequalities in the social and economic structure.

According to Jewish tradition, when God created the world work was specifically left for humans to do in order to improve upon it. Jews think of ourselves as partners with God in making the world the best place it can possibly be. This partnership is tikkun olam, defined by acts of kindness performed to perfect or repair the world.

The phrase is first found in the Mishnah, rabbinic teachings compiled in the third century. It is often used when discussing issues of social policy or safeguarding to those at a disadvantage. In modern Jewish circles, tikkun olam has become synonymous with the notion of social action and the pursuit of social justice. It is the motivation for charity work, education, the arts, and law as careers.

At Manna House, South Lakes’ homeless prevention charity, the team honour this commitment to repair the world one day at a time. And whether we are motivated by Jewish or Christian or no faith, we all recognise that humanity's responsibility to improve its earthly surroundings is powerful. Each person has a hand in working towards the betterment of their own existence as well as the lives of future generations. Tikkun olam forces people to take ownership of their world and accept it as we who must bring the world to its most beautiful realisation.

Andrea Aldridge, chief officer, Manna House