Each of us needs to have Torah and Chessed.
Possessing just one isn’t sufficient. In fact, the Gemara tells us that וסופה גמילות חסדים תורה תחלתה גמילות חסדים, the beginning and end of Torah is performance of kindness, as the Torah begins with Hashem clothing Adam and his wife and concludes with the burial of Moshe.
This is also shown by Shiduchim. Concerning the Shiduchim in the Torah, we see acts of Chessed — with Moshe and Tziporah, Yitzchak and Rivka as well as Yaakov and Rachel. In fact, the Rokeach tells us that the word גמל (camel) which is said by Yitzchak and Rivka is a contraction of גמילות חסדים (Breishis 24). These Shiduchim were done at a well (Breishis 24:11, 29:2, Shemos 2:15. See Shemos Rabba 1:32). What does water symbolize? Torah (Taanis 7a). This is what we should look for and pursue in a spouse. Parenthetically, it has been pointed out that this can explain why many propose near water. That is, although they are doing it unintentionally but as the Gemara says אע"ג דאינהו לא חזו מזלייהו חזו, even though they didn’t see it, their Mazel did (Megila 3a).
The Pasuk (Breishis 14:18) states ומלכי צדק מלך שלם הוציא לחם ויין והוא כהן לא-ל עליון, Malki-Tzedek, who is Shem (Rashi), brought out bread and wine for Avraham, he was a priest of Hashem, the Most High. Shem was constantly engaged in Torah and Avoda in the Beis Midrash of שם ועבר. On the other hand, Avraham’s main trait was הכנסת אורחים (Chessed). Shem was הוציא לחם ויין — he learned from Avraham the trait of הכנסת אורחים . והוא — Avraham learned from Shem כהן לא-ל עליון — to increase and be more assiduous on Torah and Avoda like a Kohen in the Beis Hamikdash (Mayana Shel Torah, Lech Lecha).
Here are some allusions to possessing Torah and Chessed:
1) The Gematria of גמילות חסדים is 611, the same as תורה.
See Be’er Moshe, Devarim 1, p. 222.
2) The term תורת חסד hints that we should possess Torah along with Chessed.
3) In the Parsha of Matan Torah, Parshas Yisro, we have 72 Pesukim. This is the numerical value of the word חסד, again indicating that we need Chessed and Torah.
The following are some teachings that discuss Torah and Chessed.
a) R’ Elazar told his students that to be spared from the משיחי חבל, pangs of Moshiach, one should occupy himself in the study of Torah and acts of kindness (Chessed).
b) The Gemara relates that Rabba who engaged in Torah lived for 40 years whereas Abaye who engaged in Torah and acts of kindness lived until 60.
c) Whoever engages in Torah study and bestowing kindness merits glory and wealth.
d) When we engage in studying Torah and perform acts of Chessed, the Yetzer Hara is given over to us.
What are ways to improve with Chessed?
Chessed may include helping another with learning Torah, giving encouragement, opening a Gemach or even just smiling to someone. We must attempt to fulfill עינים הייתי לעור ורגלים לפסח עני אב אנכי לאביונים ורב לא ידעתי אחקרהו, I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame; I was a father to the destitute; if I was ignorant of their grievance I would investigate.
