Avodah - a word with two meanings

Avodah (Ah´-voe-dah) is a Hebrew word used in the Bible that has two distinct yet intertwined meanings: worship and work. The dual meaning of this ancient word offers powerful wisdom for modern times.

where Avodah is in the Bible

"What a powerful image to think that that the word for working in the fields is the same that was used for worshipping the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The Israelites understood that work could be a way to honor God and neighbor, to serve God and neighbor, yes to worship God and serve neighbor. Avodah."

this is from the website: avodahinstitute.com - and interesting to ponder... as it is the word of the week in Shabbaton.

If our work is for the good of the community it IS a form of worship. Sometimes I look at my work and feel it is really sending the wrong message to the community and it fills the world with 'stuff' we don't need. And then a case comes up where I see the contribution to making a person feel good or rewarding someone for what they have done or helping to raise funds for a good cause. Then I can realize that even when sometimes what we work for is not a direct contribution to the community, in some ways it really is good and 'avodah'.

I am sure this is the case for many of us who have to find 'avodah' in our lives.