Chesed (practicing kindness) is one of the hallmarks of Judaism. It is such an important Jewish value that most marriages, friendships, and business relationships are forged when individuals recognize this quality in one other. The Talmud teaches that chesed is so essential to life that it is one of the three pillars upon which the... Read more »
On the surface, the mitzvah to visit the sick, bikur cholim, seems to be a self-evident moral obligation to help someone in need – a sick person might need help, or visitors to cheer him up – and that there is not much more to say about it. However, a more detailed look at the... Read more »
One of the most detailed accounts of Avraham’s life in the Torah describes his dedication to the mitzvah of hospitality to strangers. This class will discuss the importance of hospitality and explain how one who performs it emulates the qualities of God Himself. By looking closely at Avraham’s conduct, we will see the ideal way... Read more »
The commandment of Ahavat Yisrael – loving one’s fellow Jew – is one of Judaism’s more famous values. As Rabbi Akiva proclaims, “This is a major principle of the Torah!” Yet how can we love our neighbor as we love ourselves? The Sefer HaChinuch teaches that this mitzvah entails protecting another’s property, preventing him from... Read more »
