True Giving

The real beauty that is experienced in Judaism, comes from the aspect of giving. We are moved when we see how people go to great lengths to ease the pain of another person.

People need to learn that they themselves are as much the beneficiaries of the act of kindness as the recipients themselves.

The ultimate Chessed is called “Chessed Shel Emet,” kindness of truth. This applies to the Chessed that comes with caring for the dead.

This was learned from Yakov Avinu when he asked Yosef to act with such kindness towards him. He asked that he be buried in Eretz Yisrael. All he could ask for was a promise that his wish be fulfilled. Otherwise, he was helpless.

Caring for the dead is the greatest Chessed, because there is no glory in it. The dead can’t thank the person who cared for him.

I have always told my students that if they are moving to a new community, find out who the volunteers are for the Chevra Kadisha, burial society. These are the people that are involved with the ritual washing of the dead. These are the people that you want as your friend. They are genuinely, kind and giving people. This has proven to be true over and over again.

We are people of Chessed, but the greatest Chessed of all, is caring for the dead.