For most people, "Just be a nice person," seems like an easily attainable goal. Yet, in his famous work, Ahavas Chessed, the Chofetz Chaim distinguishes the gap between simply doing a chessed, an act of kindness and true love of chessed. With the deep insight for which he was known, the sage notes that many people regard chessed as an obligation: they would feel relief if the charity collector happens to bypass their door. It's true that they would give if asked, and the action would be deemed a chessed, yet their attitude falls far short of the ideal. With the goal of helping every Jew develop a positive mindset toward chessed, the Chofetz Chaim probes its importance in human relationships. Demonstrating that chessed is no less than an emulation of G-dly compassion, he reveals further that it links all Jews and underlies the Jew's relationship with all Creation. With classic simplicity, the Chofetz Chaim encourages every Jew to strive toward love of chessed in his or her own life. Loving Kindness makes that goal practical and attainable. Published in conjunction with the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation, it has the same easy-to-use daily calendar format as Chofetz Chaim: A Daily Companion (on proper speech). Based on the inspirational lectures on Sefer Ahavas Chessed of noted speaker Rabbi Fishel Schachter, the book was prepared for publication by Chana Nestlebaum. |
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