Hi,
That’s right. Rosh Hashanah is approaching!
This is the time of the year that Jews try to improve themselves.
And right up there on the list of things to work on?
Chessed. Acts of kindness!
We need to be more sensitive to the needs of others.
And not only respond to their needs.
But to be proactive.
We need to look for ways to help other people.
… A good friend recently taught me a powerful lesson about chessed.
(A good friend is supposed to be someone you can learn from!)
About how to do acts of kindness.
His mother lives in New York. And they would try to drive in a few times a year.
Seeing her kids and the grandchildren kept her going.
And they had this “great idea”.
They would surprise her.
“Hi Mom. We’re at the Holland Tunnel. See you soon!”
“It was so much more exciting that way!”
(And his mother’s home is always ready for them.)
Then he realized something.
Is a surprise visit more exciting to his mother?
Or to him!
Because to his mother?
A few weeks notice is much more exciting.
She’ll be counting the days. Dreaming about it.
Looking at pictures of the grandchildren.
Looking forward to those hugs and kisses.
It will “keep her going” for weeks!
…Acts of kindness are from the most spiritual things we can do.
When we get beyond ourselves and focus on the needs of others.
But we need to be very careful.
To really get beyond ourselves. To remember that we’re not doing it for us.
And what we think would “be great” doesn’t really matter.
The most important question to ask ourselves?
What will give the other person the greatest pleasure!
… And here’s another great opportunity for growth.
Rabbi Deutsch’s brand new Jewish Growth Conference Call.
A five–ten minute Torah message.
Relevant. Inspirational. Thought provoking. And practical.
Last Friday was the first and it brought rave reviews.
If you missed it, here is a link to hear it.
(Rosh Hashanah is all about “second chances”!)
The next conference call will be Monday evening at 9:00 P.M.
I can’t think of a better way to prepare for Rosh Hashanah!
All the best,