"The passionate man will recognize, understand and know that almost all Judaism and the survival of our Jewish nation, particularly in this long and bitter exile, depends on supporting our brothers and relatives, ensuring they do not collapse." This is how the Gaon, Rabbi Kalfon Moshe HaKohen zt"l, illuminates the mitzvah we read about in this week's Parshah (Devarim 11:22), "For if you will observe this entire commandment that I command you, to perform it, to love Hashem, your G-d, to walk in all his ways and to cleave to Him." As Rashi elaborates: "He is merciful – you should be merciful; He performs acts of kindnesses – you should perform acts of kindness."
Indeed, man is inclined to think that only those of means can perform true chesed. For example, only a wealthy person can afford to donate a hundred thousand dollars for a sick person who has to undergo a costly operation. But this is a big mistake, the Gaon Rabbi Moshe Levi zt"l, author of Menuchat Ahava, points out. Any act a person carries out to benefit someone else is included in the mitzvah of chesed. If a person only wishes, he can pick up acts of kindness at every step of his way, throughout the day.
Parents, for example, do not realize that taking care of their children is an act of chesed. Not just any chesed, but chesed of the highest caliber, for the most important manifestation of chesed is that which is carried out within the home. Rabbi Moshe Levi zt"l testifies: "From when I grasped this idea, I tried to seize acts of kindness. For example, on my way to and from Yeshiva, I look out for young children who wish to cross the road and help them cross safely."
And the same applies to spiritual matters. Spiritual kindness, Rabbi Moshe Levi zt"l points out, is no less chesed than material assistance. If, for example, someone hears that his friend is sick and recites Tehillim for him, it is an act of chesed.
Indeed, Rabbi Moshe acted as he preached. When the wife of Rabbi Meir Mazuz shlit"a was sick, he arranged a trip to the Kotel to pray for her, and on the way arranged that his talmidim recite eighteen books of Tehillim for her recovery.
Even When They Make Us Angry
The father of the depressed and broken hearted was HaGaon Hatzadik Rabbi Asher Freund zt"l. His house was open to one and all at all times, day and night. He would show exceptional kindness to all those ill-fated individuals, drawing them close and taking care of all their needs like a compassionate father. He would perform those acts of kindness with modesty and simplicity as was the way of the distinguished Yerushalmi residents, fleeing from publicity and honor. He would constantly impart a message of simple faith, that we do not deserve anything and all we have is due to Hashem's kindness.
He would explain the Chazal, "Just as He is merciful – so you should be merciful" in the following way: Just as He is merciful, just as Hashem is merciful towards Bnei Yisrael even when they do not behave appropriately, we too must adopt this trait and even when people anger us or act towards us in a way we do not approve of, we must still behave with compassion and cleave to Hashem's ways.
The one involved related his story: "At one point I began sliding spiritually. I slowly deteriorated, in prayers and Torah too, until I was left bored with nothing to fill my time. Rabbi Asher noticed what was going on and invited me to speak to him. At the end of our lengthy conversation, he entrusted me with a mission: to take care of a certain bachur who was not in a good mental state. I was to take him under my wing and provide for all his needs. And so I found myself busy from morning to night, caring for that bachur.
"One day, I suddenly realized Rabbi Asher's great kindness. On the one hand he saved me from boredom and lack of structure, while at the same time he benefited that bachur by giving him the feeling he is not alone; there is someone who cares about him.
"One day the phone rang. Rabbi Asher was on the line, telling me his daughter was getting married soon and he wants to invite me and that bachur to join in his simcha.
"The day of the wedding arrived and we walked over to Rabbi Asher's home. As we approached his home, he was already waiting outside, his shtreimel adorning his head. As soon as he noticed us he asked me, 'Did you shine the bachur's shoes in honor of the wedding?' I replied I had not done so. He quickly ran back inside, fetched some shoe polish and began shining the bachur's shoes..."
One of Rabbi Asher's acquaintances told over another story: "Some of those who hung around in Rabbi Asher's home were unfortunately in a bad state. There was one bachur whose situation was so wretched, he would scream and grow wild and this behavior caused the other guests discomfort. I gently tried to bring to Rabbi Asher's attention that maybe it would be worthwhile sending this bachur away, but he replied assertively: "Is it my home that I can send people away?"
