לְךָ֣ יקוק הַגְּדֻלָּ֨ה וְהַגְּבוּרָ֤ה וְהַתִּפְאֶ֙רֶת֙ וְהַנֵּ֣צַח וְהַה֔וֹד כִּי־כֹ֖ל בַּשָּׁמַ֣יִם וּבָאָ֑רֶץ לְךָ֤ יקוק הַמַּמְלָכָ֔ה וְהַמִּתְנַשֵּׂ֖א לְכֹ֥ל ׀ לְרֹֽאשׁ׃
Yours, LORD, are greatness, might, splendor, triumph, and majesty—yes, all that is in heaven and on earth; to You, LORD, belong kingship and preeminence above all.
שִׁמְעוֹן הַצַּדִּיק הָיָה מִשְּׁיָרֵי כְנֶסֶת הַגְּדוֹלָה. הוּא הָיָה אוֹמֵר, עַל שְׁלשָׁה דְבָרִים הָעוֹלָם עוֹמֵד, עַל הַתּוֹרָה וְעַל הָעֲבוֹדָה וְעַל גְּמִילוּת חֲסָדִים:
Shimon the Righteous was from the remnants of the Great Assembly. He would say, "On three things the world stands: on the Torah, on the service (prayer) and on acts of lovingkindness."
Here we see Chesed is more than just an aspect of our emotional life, but a description of how we are to act in the world. Moreover it is an essential ingredient in the world's foundation. How might we act with Chesed? How do we add more Chesed to the world?
(יח) וְאָֽהַבְתָּ֥ לְרֵעֲךָ֖ כָּמ֑וֹךָ אֲנִ֖י יקוק׃
(18) Love your neighbor as yourself:
I am Adonai.
These three passages are incredibly well known. Looking closely who is that we are meant to love?
How is Ahavah (Love) similar and different to Chesed (Lovingkindness)?
Chesed is interchangeable also with Rachamim (Mercy). What can that teach us about how we approach love and kindness?
וַיַּעֲבֹ֨ר יקוק ׀ עַל־פָּנָיו֮ וַיִּקְרָא֒ יקוק ׀ יקוק אֵ֥ל רַח֖וּם וְחַנּ֑וּן אֶ֥רֶךְ אַפַּ֖יִם וְרַב־חֶ֥סֶד וֶאֱמֶֽת׃ נֹצֵ֥ר חֶ֙סֶד֙ לָאֲלָפִ֔ים נֹשֵׂ֥א עָוֺ֛ן וָפֶ֖שַׁע וְחַטָּאָ֑ה וְנַקֵּה֙
יקוק passed before him and proclaimed: “יקוק ! יקוק ! a God compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in kindness and faithfulness, extending kindness to the thousandth generation, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin
אָמַר לָהֶם, צְאוּ וּרְאוּ אֵיזוֹהִי דֶרֶךְ יְשָׁרָה שֶׁיִּדְבַּק בָּהּ הָאָדָם. רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר, עַיִן טוֹבָה. רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אוֹמֵר, חָבֵר טוֹב. רַבִּי יוֹסֵי אוֹמֵר, שָׁכֵן טוֹב. רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן אוֹמֵר, הָרוֹאֶה אֶת הַנּוֹלָד. רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר, לֵב טוֹב. אָמַר לָהֶם, רוֹאֶה אֲנִי אֶת דִּבְרֵי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן עֲרָךְ מִדִּבְרֵיכֶם, שֶׁבִּכְלָל דְּבָרָיו דִּבְרֵיכֶם.
He [Rabban Yohanan] said unto them: go forth and observe which is the right way to which a man should cleave? Rabbi Eliezer said, a good eye; Rabbi Joshua said, a good companion; Rabbi Yose said, a good neighbor; Rabbi Shimon said, foresight. Rabbi Elazar said, a good heart. He [Rabban Yohanan] said to them: I prefer the words of Elazar ben Arach, for in his words your words are included.
Chesed in Chesed (1)
How do I express love? Do I hold back? Do I share too much too soon?
To whom do I show love?
Am I generous about giving and spreading Chesed?
Gevurah in Chesed (2)
Do others take advantage of my kindness?
Am I able to maintain appropriate boundaries for myself and others?
Tiferet in Chesed (3)
Do I give love and kindness freely or do I expect something in return?
Netzah in Chesed (4)
Is my kindness consistent? How can I ensure that my Chesed is enduring, that I don’t burnout?
Hod in Chesed (5)
Do I recognize the Chesed I receive from others?
Do I realize that the ability to love comes from God?
Yesod in Chesed (6)
While love is often directed outwardly towards others, love should have an aspect of partnership/teamwork. Do you and your loved ones work together to manifest Chesed?
Malchut in Chesed (7)
Do the love and kindness you share help bolster your own spirit?