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What if everything you thought you knew about kindness in Judaism was only scratching the surface? In this deeply moving exploration of "chesed," we uncover how this three-letter Hebrew word forms the very foundation of Jewish life—appearing 248 times throughout Tanakh and comprising the beginning and end of Torah itself.
The power of this concept comes alive through a heart-wrenching story from the 1929 Hebron Massacre, where a dying yeshiva student, his body torn and bleeding, used his final moments to smear his own blood on a friend lying nearby—making him appear dead to save him from attackers. This extraordinary act of selflessness forces us to confront what it truly means to live a life centered on giving rather than taking.
We explore three transformative principles of chesed that challenge conventional thinking. First, we learn from the biblical giant Og that even kindness done with ulterior motives retains spiritual merit. Next, we discover through ancient wisdom that true hospitality isn't about impressing guests but making them feel like family. Finally, we confront the often-overlooked truth that chesed operates in concentric circles—beginning with those closest to us before extending outward.
This perspective-shifting discussion reveals why many marriages struggle despite partners' reputations for charitable work, and how prioritizing the inner circles of chesed can transform our most important relationships. By reclaiming this fundamental concept from the realm of cliché, we uncover its revolutionary power to reshape our understanding of what Judaism demands of us at its core.
Take this journey from eye-rolling dismissal to profound appreciation for how chesed—true selflessness—forms the beating heart of authentic Jewish life. Your understanding of kindness will never be the same.
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Chapters
1. Introduction to Chesed's Importance (00:00:00)
2. The Hebron Massacre and Selfless Sacrifice (00:08:55)
3. The Spiritual Trifecta of This Shabbos (00:16:20)
4. Og's Chesed: When Intentions Don't Matter (00:17:25)
5. Making Guests Family, Not Just Guests (00:23:25)
6. Concentric Circles: Where Chesed Begins (00:29:30)
7. Final Reflections on True Selflessness (00:36:15)
282 episodes
