Written by Rabbi Daniel Yaakov Travis
(based on a derasha from
HaGaon Rav Moshe Sternbuch shlita,
Ravad of Yerushalayim
Leil Shabbos)
Kindness Without Cost
Avraham Avinu was the paradigm of chesed as Chazal tells us Chesed L'Avraham. Every day of his life was filled with acts of kindness. Avraham taught the Jewish people the importance of this attribute, and its crucial place in serving Hashem properly.
Klal Yisrael has continued to follow Avraham Avinu's example throughout history. Acts of kindness have been a hallmark for the Jewish people. In every generation Jews have excelled in chesed, even when they did not have for themselves.
There was one time in our history when the mitzvah of chesed was seemingly impossible. For the forty years that the Jews were living in the midbar, Hashem took care of all of our physical needs. How did we have an opportunity to do chesed to each other?
A person can do chesed without spending a cent. Teaching others Torah and guiding them on the proper path of serving the Almighty is the greatest act of kindness that one can do for his fellow Jew. This enabled Klal Yisrael to perform chesed while in the midbar.
Hashem put Jewish neahamos in this world with the exalted task of serving their Creator. Unfortunately, this fact is unknown to most Jews today, and most of Klal Yisrael are estranged from Torah and mitzvos. The greatest chesed that a person can do for another Jew is to bring them to a life of Torah.
Kindness and Torah
Rav Moshe Shneider, Rav Shternbuch's Rosh Yeshiva in London, obligated older students to study with the younger and weaker talmid at least two hours a week. This way even while learning in yeshiva, bachurim would have an opportunity to do chesed. Rav Shneider would say that without chesed, one cannot succeed in Torah learning.
What do acts of kindness have to do with success in Torah? Although a Jew must follow in the Almighty's ways, there is no set amount how much to give. Chesed is a sign of nedivos, acting for the sake of Hashem without obligation.
In order to acquire Torah, a person must have siyata d'shmaya, and find favor in the Almigty's eyes. The way to do this is through chesed. Acts of kindness to others cause Hahsem mida k'neged mida to respond to him with the ultimate chesed of giving one the gift of Torah.
All of My Needs
Hashem is the source of all kindness. Every day the Almighty showers chesed on each person taking care of all of their needs. By performing chesed, Avraham Avinu was following in the ways of the Hashem.
At times, we experience the Almighty's attribute of strict justice. During these periods, it is difficult to see the chesed behind the din. We might be tempted to think that He has changed His ways, and chas v'shalom abandoned His attribute of chesed.
One such incident took place during the Holocaust. A group of prisoners in a concentration camp was slated to be taken to their death. One of the members of the group and stated that he could keep davening but he could no longer say the beracha "He takes care of all of my needs".
There seemed to be consensus among them that this man was correct, until one of the other prisoners stood up and interjected. "Hashem is taking care of all of our needs, even in this most dire situation." The other members of the group were inspired by his emunah and agreed that even at this time the Almighty was watching over them.
On the House
The Alter of Norvadork compared this world to an expensive hotel. A person can order as much as he wants, and seemingly does not have to pay a cent. Only at the end of the meal does a bill come charging him in full for everything he ordered.
So too, a person can take whatever pleasures frim this world that he desires. However he should remember that he will be charged. When he gets to the next world a full accounting will be made.
Rav Yisrael Salanter said that there is a way that one can by pass these charges. Although the workers in the hotel may not eat their, staff who are crucial for running the establishment will get their meals free. So too if a person makes himself crucial for the running of the world by constantly doing acts of chesed for others he will not be held accountable for what he took from this world.
Avaraham Avinu taught the entire world the importance of chesed. Happy are his descendants who follow in his path, whose lives are filled with acts of kindness. May his merit stand up for us and bring us to the final redemption soon.
(HaRav Shternbuch's shiurim on the parsha are being prepared to be published by Feldheim Publishers as a sefer entitled "Small Prophecies". For information about dedication opportunities contact dytravis@actcom.com.)
