The Many Faces of Chessed

What is “chessed”?  “Chessed” is the word for “kindness”- as in performing acts of kindness. Acts that most anyone routinely does.     What compels one to do chessed? One is compelled to do chessed as an innate trait of trying to emulate Hashem. It is an attribute that a Jew strives for and says as part of the morning prayers of Shacharit.  Chessed is one of the “foundations” that the world stands on along with Torah and Avodah.      For whom does one do chessed? One can perform acts of kindness to anyone and everyone. “Kol Yisrael Areivim zeh Lazeh”-“Each Jew is Responsible for the Other”.     What are “acts of kindness”?  These are many – simple in the doing to the extent that the doing can seem so mundane that one does not even consider it an “act of kindness”.     What one person considers trivial might be the biggest chessed. Loaning a neighbor a bag of milk or bread, etc or other sundry items that a person needs is just one example. Another example is “hachnasat orchim”-inviting guests (a friend or a stranger) for a meal – usually on a holiday – and often even last minute. Collecting money/fund-raising for a person/family in need, or a Yeshiva – this, too, falls under the category of chessed.  As does visiting the sick (at home or in the hospital) and looking out for their needs. Being a supportive friend to someone in distress can be emotionally draining yet it is also an extraordinary chessed. This is but a smidgen of a list of chessed performed on a daily basis by so many people throughout the world.      But my goal is not to reach the world, nor to bring recognition to specific individuals. Because in talking to individuals, I have learned that for the most part, a person would prefer to remain anonymous and hidden from others. That when a mitzvah of chessed is revealed the person feels exposed and “vulnerable” – and this takes away from the actual chessed that was done. People are not involved with chessed for the recognition they might achieve, or receive. Chessed is a “work of the heart and for the heart”.       Some “acts of kindness” began as a personal “endeavor” to make the world a better place, to change things or awaken awareness to a situation.     “Olam Chessed Yiboneh” – the World is Built on Acts of Kindness. Being courteous – to remember to greet the people you meet on the street with a ‘cheery’ hello (or any “hello” will do) is a wonderful start to anyone’s day, not to mention “please”, “thank you”, “your welcome” and “I’m sorry” when each is applicable. Yet these simple phrases are the basis for human decency and a key element “VeAhavta LeReacho Komocho”- “loving your fellow Jew”. All are chessed.       There were those whom I spoke to who in the beginning felt “coerced”- as in a group or organization that needed another person to fill in (as when dividing up the Book of Tehillim to be recited in one day). Yet after joining, a sense of fulfillment and calmness filled the person. And then chose to continue.        There are myriad ways and styles of doing chessed in the world. But this is just a small compilation of stories of individuals and what they do that is remarkable and extraordinary to others – but not to/for them. This is the on-going saga of the people and their lives in this small “corner” of Safed (Tzfat.)  This column will respect the wishes of those who wish to remain anonymous. The goal in this writing is not to publicize nor embarrass anyone, but rather to inspire people to do acts of kindness and to recognize the goodness that already exists in the world. By enlightening others the world will become a better place for all.