Questions tagged [chesed-kindness]

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Jewish saying: "To be lenient when you should be firm is to be cruel when you could be kind."?

I heard today there is an old Jewish saying that goes something like this: “To be lenient when you should be firm is to be cruel when you could be kind.” This, as so many Jewish ...
Mowzer's user avatar
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9 votes
6 answers
415 views

Sources that Avraham Avinu personified Gemilas Chasodim

See this thread which discusses that Avraham Avinu used to make his guests pay exorbitant prices if they did not wish to bless Hashem for the food. I am struggling to differentiate between a ...
Yehuda's user avatar
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7 votes
1 answer
168 views

Collecting Tzedakah from someone who may (or may not) be mentally incompetent

I just witnessed something I thought I'd never see. Someone soliciting signatures on the street for whoknowswhat gently turned someone away. The reason? "It's for fundraising." Now I'm sure, like I ...
Seth J's user avatar
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6 votes
1 answer
173 views

Is a Ger first or almost last for assistance?

The Pri Megadim in OC Siman 156 Ashel Avraham Sif-Katan 2 (it's a long piece) cites from the Rambam in Hilchos De'as Perek 6 Halacha 4 that the Mitzvah of Ahavas HaGer (loving a convert) is really 2 ...
Yehoshua's user avatar
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5 votes
4 answers
816 views

Is there a mitzvah to do chesed for a non-Jew?

If I give a non Jew a ride, is that considered a chesed? I’m sure it’s considered a kiddush hashem but is there a mitzvah of chesed? Should one go out of his way to find these mitzvos of chesed, like ...
Moshe's user avatar
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5 votes
1 answer
74 views

Chesed and food - healthy or tasty?

When a person prepares food for someone else, as an act of chesed, should they prioritise making the food healthy, or tasty? In case someone wants to make the case that they are not mutually ...
Rabbi Kaii's user avatar
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5 votes
1 answer
127 views

Case study in chesed: parking morally

A strong, fit man decides that instead of grabbing the absolute closest and most convenient parking spot to his destination, he will leave it and park further away, in case someone more infirm/...
Rabbi Kaii's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
393 views

Should I wake my neighbour who falls asleep in the shiur?

The person sitting next to me in a shiur falls asleep because he worked hard during the day. What considerations are relevant to whether or not I should wake him? Assuming I did not wake him and he ...
Avrohom Yitzchok's user avatar
4 votes
3 answers
1k views

To what extent does the Torah make allowances for people in severe physical pain? [closed]

I have a severe progressive neurological disease and it's exceptionally painful. Current medical technology unfortunately is not able to provide much in the way of treatment or relief. Everyday things ...
Moshe's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
106 views

How to distribute tzedakah percentage wise?

Are there any detailed recommendations from chachamim how to distribute tzedakah percentage wise (how many percent to pikuach nefesh, Torah insitutions/talmidim, how many to poor people, etc.)? I'm ...
Dan Weisberg's user avatar
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4 votes
2 answers
273 views

Examples of the sages in the Talmud going above and beyond in kindness

What are some examples in the Talmud where it tells a story of one of the sages from the time of the Mishna or Gemara showing exceptional kindness that could be a good example to other people? For ...
Aaliyah's user avatar
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4 votes
2 answers
297 views

Talmud Torah or Chesed more important?

I've been to a lot of Chabad shiurim and have been getting this message that Chesed is the most important thing to do. We are here to do chesed to one another.. but in the morning prayers i feel we ...
Lilopinpin's user avatar
4 votes
3 answers
172 views

Why get the baker's hopes up?

When explaining the butler and baker's dreams, Yosef opened with very similar language: בְּע֣וֹד ׀ שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת יָמִ֗ים יִשָּׂ֤א פַרְעֹה֙ אֶת־רֹאשֶׁ֔ךָ בְּע֣וֹד ׀ שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת יָמִ֗ים יִשָּׂ֨א פַרְעֹ֤ה ...
Heshy's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
94 views

Intentions of chesed

When doing a mitzvah which is an act of kindness such as charity or helping someone, what is the proper intention? To focus on the recipient? Or perhaps I should be thinking I am doing a command of ...
user6591's user avatar
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1 answer
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What are the "maasim tovim"?

Talmud, mishna, and other sources reference "maasim tovim" (good deeds) in many places (Avos 4:17 is one example). Do any sources define what this term actually includes? Some of the possible options ...
user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
84 views

Is it really a Mitzvah to greet a fellow Jew?

I would think that it would be good middot to be a mentsch and ask a fellow Jew "hello, how are you?", but is there really any Mitzvah to it? Or does it count as a Chesed?
Raphael Chilungu's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
219 views

Can there be too much chesed?

On one hand we are taught that it is good to do Chesed (to do what someone asks you to do (as Rivka did)), on the other hand to be a sucker (frier) (to do everything you're asked to do, especially ...
hazoriz's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
448 views

Animal testing of cosmetics and other products

To what extent does tzaar baalei chayyim--the prohibition on causing needless pain to animals--apply to animal testing of products such as cosmetics? What are the potential halachic problems for both ...
SAH's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
285 views

Is virtual presence considered Bikur cholim for the sick

Is looking at a sick person through zoom or another video camera service considered “visiting” then for the purposes of the mitzvah of Bikur cholim? Or no, does it have to be physical presence to ...
Kirk's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
101 views

Would complimenting someone's physical appearance be considered a problem since it causes the person to become overly conscious of themselves?

Let me clarify that I don't mean compliments in an inappropriate sense such has calling someone attractive or specifying a rude area of one's body. I'm speaking to examples like: You have a great ...
Michael's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
182 views

Maintaining A Convert's Privacy

Bava Metzia 58b one is not allowed to remind a convert that they converted. However, they are given the name "Ben Avraham Avinu/bat Sarah Immenu" which makes them stand out and is a constant ...
Rabbi Kaii's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
88 views

Under what circumstances may one ask a Kohen to do a task for a non-Kohen?

I understand that a non-Kohen should not ask a Kohen to do a task for him. It is quoted in hewikipedia האיסור להשתמש בכהן הוא איסור להשתמש בכהן כפועל או בעבודה כל שהיא, אפילו עבודה קלה. סיבת ...
Avrohom Yitzchok's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
106 views

funds/gemachs for baalei teshuvah

Hey does anyone know of funds/gemachs for baalei teshuvah looking to purchase things such as tzitzis, tefillin, seforim etc? Maybe some baalei Chesed that may be able to help. If able to share would ...
anonymous's user avatar
  • 149
2 votes
1 answer
115 views

Implications of "According to Your fear is Your anger" ("כיראתך עברתך")

It says in Tehillim 90 (a chapter attributed to Moshe Rabbeinu, if that affects anything): יא: מִֽי־י֖וֹדֵעַ עֹ֥ז אַפֶּ֑ךָ וּ֜כְיִרְאָֽתְךָ֗ עֶבְרָתֶֽךָ: לִמְנ֣וֹת יָ֖מֵינוּ כֵּ֥ן הוֹדַ֑ע ...
SAH's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
139 views

What are the general rules regarding doing activities (such as eating or checking email) before mitzvot (such as tefillin or prayer)?

Imagine that there's an mitzvah which I can do. It might be obligatory, or it might not be. For example, tefillin, prayer, kiddush, havdalah, shofar, feeding my pet, visiting the sick, Torah study, or ...
unforgettableidSupportsMonica's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
85 views

What is the difference between the 5 Gevurot and 5 Chassadim [closed]

I hear these concepts in Chassidus. What is the difference between the 5 Gevurot and 5 Chassadim?
David 's user avatar
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2 votes
0 answers
68 views

Tefillin fund for bale teshuvah

I'm a baal teshuvah looking to purchase a pair of tefillin, any chance people may know where I may able able to purchase for a subsidized price by any chance? On a very tight budget!
anonymous's user avatar
  • 149
2 votes
0 answers
46 views

Is it a Mitzvah to tell a fellow Jew “have a wonderful day”?

Is it considered a Mitzvah/Chesed to tell a fellow Jew to have a great day? It sounds like a simple thing, but I thought it would be included under Viohavta Lireiacha Kamocha, no?
Raphael Chilungu's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
98 views

Tsedaka- Extreme YOLO charity!

Hypothetically speaking, if someone wants Hashem to bless them with great wealth, would it be irresponsible for them to donate 100% of their earnings to charity? Would they end up poor?
Miguel's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
65 views

Most honoured person going last in netilat yadayim - possible reason?

There is a custom that I've seen in many homes whereby the most honourable person (e.g. the bal habayit, a cohen, a rav) actually goes last in the order of netilat yadayim. I've heard the reason given ...
Rabbi Kaii's user avatar
  • 9,231
0 votes
3 answers
910 views

Is the concept of Eternal Punishment reconcilable with the fact of God's never-ending kindness and mercy?

Is the concept of Eternal Punishment reconcilable with the fact of God's never-ending kindness and mercy? Also, what about the concept that some talk about regarding the punishments of the afterlife ...
AYAL TAAROG's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
1k views

What is the meaning of "Gomel" as used in the term "Gemillat Chessed"?

Other than its use in Tehillim / Tefilla, the only place I can think of where the verb גמל is used (I'm not referring to a camel) is in the phrase גמילות חסדים, or similar forms of this phrase (...
DanF's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
93 views

Why do the middat hayom start with chessed and progress to malchut?

Included in my siddur as part of the sefirat haomer are the corresponding middat hayom for each day/week. They begin with chessed sh'b'chessed and progress through a series of middot - gevurah, ...
user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
15 views

Why does one who does chessed and Torah get the portion of Yosef and Yissachar?

In Bava Kamma (17a) it says: א"ר יוחנן משום ר"ש בן יוחאי מאי דכתיב (ישעיהו לב, כ) אשריכם זורעי על כל מים משלחי רגל השור והחמור כל העוסק בתורה ובגמילות חסדים זוכה לנחלת שני שבטים ... וזוכה ...
Lo ani's user avatar
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0 votes
0 answers
50 views

How many times does the word "Chesed" (in singular or plural forms) appear in Tanach?

How many times does the word "Chesed" (in singular or plural forms) appear in Tanach? I've heard somewhere that the number is 248, but I cannot confirm this. If it is 248, it would be an ...
Achi's user avatar
  • 21
0 votes
0 answers
44 views

Reading notes at the Kotel/Western Wall

Someone told me that (1) they took a note out of the Kotel wall, read it, and then (2) prayed for the person who placed the note and their prayer. Is (1) okay, and is it okay (or beautiful) if they do ...
MichoelR's user avatar
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0 votes
0 answers
185 views

Water is Chesed

I read somewhere that "according to the kabala, water represents Chesed (kindness)". Any one know a source for this, and what that means in layman's terms?
ray's user avatar
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0 votes
0 answers
42 views

Can I help my friend who avoids the Internet on principle by booking airline tickets for him on the Internet? [duplicate]

I use the Internet (with safeguards). My friend does not use the Internet because of the dangers. Is it right for him to ask me to do jobs for him using the Internet (eg booking airline tickets)? ...
Avrohom Yitzchok's user avatar
-1 votes
1 answer
91 views

Volunteering to weed an academic free library: A mitzvah, or a waste of time?

Background Imagine that you go to a university which has ~55,000 students, including maybe ~1,500 Jewish students. Imagine, also, that you're male. Therefore, you're required to spend some time ...
unforgettableidSupportsMonica's user avatar
-3 votes
1 answer
213 views

rav wosner and the kind kallah who got a brocho [closed]

a couple of years ago I read a very moving story of a Kalloh who insisted that she doesn't break her engagement in spite of the situation which had arisen. The story of the Kalloh moved Harav Shmuel ...
rabbi's user avatar
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