Shemini -Kindness Above ALL!

Shemini -Kindness Above ALL!

As we all sit in our homes because of this horrible, worldwide pandemic, developing a feeling of , now what, today seems like yesterday, why is my dog staring at me, I just logged off social media, but I'll log right back on and see any updates, some funny memes, and other political verbiage, both complimentary and on the attack! Or just, and old fashioned phone call! Remember those?

This D' Var Torah is NOT about politics, or social media,or even 1 phone call, but rather being nice and digging deeply with in your soul, finding your own brand of kindness and comprehending it, absorbing it that it oozes out of you, and YOU are of that Kindness, Love, Unselfish Giving of yourself!  

Now is the time for some reading, introspection and deep thought, comprehension and sincere application.

The Talmud teaches us that the “Hachasidah”, the stork was given this name due to its kindness and nature to others and instinctive quality of doing “Chesed” (Kindness) with other members of its own species.  It is believed that when a person eats and digests an animal, part of that soul is also absorbed into theirs.  Interesting, as the stork is NOT KOSHER, yet has a soul that exudes caring and that of kindness.  So wouldn’t we absorb the loving, caring, and kind nature? Makes one really think, Hmmmm!?

Let's take a closer look; the stork does indeed perform acts of kindness, BUT only with in its own species, its own family.  “KINDNESS”, if it is to be performed properly, is not on a selective basis!  Chesed is one of the primary foundations of OUR personality , or should be...and just one of the great attribute, and the Hebrew Word, “Rav” (Great) – “Rav Chesed” is appended.  As human-beings, we are supposed to act upon this, to act upon  examples, that of “Chesed”. 

 It is more than just being kind or acts of giving, but it is your ability to totally shift your own concerns and focus, to that of others.

We as humans should focus and remain with the other person’s issue at hand, and their concerns.  Kindness should be practiced to ALL of those in need, and not only a selective few, here and there. Practiced to and with our own and others, inclusive of other living beings and nature!

The stork (the animal in question), only performs acts of kindness for its own pleasure and satisfaction, which if a person did that exact action, that is a LACK of kindness as it is done at a convenience or that of choice. Therefore, is it really that kind of kindness?

Your undertaking to help on a selective basis in order to effect for your own admiration or self-fulfilling need, is NOT only selfish, but honestly demeans the entire concept of Kindness, that of “Chesed”

There are those benevolent, kind and giving people that donate thousands and are able.  Their act of consistency is the key!  There are those persons that donate their own time to various causes in need. The act of their volunteering on a consistent basis is the key.  There is the young child that gives of his or her own allowance to a person on the street in need of a meal, be it a nickel or a dollar, that child performed that as an act of true kindness, and if circumstances allowed, I bet he or she would give to more in need!  Then there’s the lost dog in your neighborhood & there are plenty right now in the world, and you feel awful, and know what exactly to do…you look at the tag, you make the call, he/she goes back home to his/her family hopefully, and the family that lost the dog also feels the act of kindness, in addition to the dog! It's a reciprocal act and feeling!

True and honest kindness shows no prejudice; it shows no favoritism; it shows no selectiveness, it has no race, no colors, it has no religion,no gender, it isn’t hateful, and it has no reason for deceit. 

So if we are what we eat, and act upon that very fact, I’m glad I do NOT eat stork, that of selective kindness. As my choice is absorbing into my deep soul all the good, and all the love, and to offer my hand in kindness to all.

I feel it is our obligation and our calling to put out our hands (via Zoom and social media, the phone for now) to “ALL” in need and not in need on the outside, so help that neighbor from afar (social distancing), donate to a worth-while organization or cause, spend time volunteering (online many organizations have programs or helping or reading to the elderly or child via Skype/Zoom/Facetime, or reach something that is placed too high in the grocery store for a person that is unable to get it  (obviously, practicing safety), walking your dog on a regular basis, holding your child’s (or parent's) hand and saying, YOU'RE AWESOME & I LOVE YOU, acknowledging your family, sending a text or calling someBODY and check on him/her. 

Your own kindness comes from within, deep in your soul, so today I ask of you;

Reach down into that beautiful and loving soul and open your hands and grab another’s hand (via social distancing),or hug somebody via zoom, or share with others your kind words,or just decide to SMILE BIG and share it!!!!!

Love to all & Shabbat Shalom,

Barry