Description: Chapter 5 - 03
Ahavas Chesed
Chapter 5 – 03
Doing chesed protects us from the yetzer horah as well. The Gemarah says, Ashrechah Yisrael, because while they are involved in Torah and Gemilas Chasadim, their Yetzer Horah is placed in their hands, and not them in his hands!
This means, that the Yetzer Horah has two ways of overpowering us. One, intellectually, by convincing us and confusing us about what is important and what is not, pushing us to do silly things. Two, by influencing our body and limbs to act against the will of Hashem. But someone who is involved in Torah and Gemilas Chesed has the ability to overcome their Yetzer Horah, because through learning Torah which is divrei Elokim Chayim, he elevates and sanctifies his mind. Through performing deeds of kindness, he sanctifies his body and limbs, by doing the service of the King of the world. Doing chesed is direct emulation of Hashem, as it says ‘laleches bechol derachav,’ follow in his ways, and this makes a person very close to Hashem and truly serving Him, and prevents the Yetzer Horah from having any effect over him.
When people perform chesed on a regular basis, it is a zchus for having children who are talmidei chachamim, inspirational speakers, and wealthy. The Gemarah deduces all this from different pesukim.
Chazal in Eliyahu Rabbah say that all the brachos and blessings that the Torah promises us, come only through chesed. The pasuk says:
ובאו עליך כל הברכות האלה והשיגך כי תשמע בקול ה' אלוקיך
When will all the brachos mentioned reach you? When you listen to the voice of Hashem. How do you listen to the voice of Hashem? By following in His ways: He is merciful – you be merciful, He has mercy even on reshaim, evil people, and accepts their teshuvah, you do so as well. Hashem provides all living things with food and clothing, you also have mercy on each other and provide for each other food and clothing, and have patience for each other.
Another method of following in Hashem’s ways is, Hashem is a chanun, meaning He gives freely to those who recognize Him and those who don’t, you also grant and give freely to each other.
Another method of following Hashem’s ways is, Hashem always looks for ways to find good in us, and pushes the scales towards kindness, we too should have patience with our friends and judge them favorably. We see how important and integral the middah of chesed is!
Ahavas Chesed
Chapter 5 – 03
Doing chesed protects us from the yetzer horah as well. The Gemarah says, Ashrechah Yisrael, because while they are involved in Torah and Gemilas Chasadim, their Yetzer Horah is placed in their hands, and not them in his hands!
This means, that the Yetzer Horah has two ways of overpowering us. One, intellectually, by convincing us and confusing us about what is important and what is not, pushing us to do silly things. Two, by influencing our body and limbs to act against the will of Hashem. But someone who is involved in Torah and Gemilas Chesed has the ability to overcome their Yetzer Horah, because through learning Torah which is divrei Elokim Chayim, he elevates and sanctifies his mind. Through performing deeds of kindness, he sanctifies his body and limbs, by doing the service of the King of the world. Doing chesed is direct emulation of Hashem, as it says ‘laleches bechol derachav,’ follow in his ways, and this makes a person very close to Hashem and truly serving Him, and prevents the Yetzer Horah from having any effect over him.
When people perform chesed on a regular basis, it is a zchus for having children who are talmidei chachamim, inspirational speakers, and wealthy. The Gemarah deduces all this from different pesukim.
Chazal in Eliyahu Rabbah say that all the brachos and blessings that the Torah promises us, come only through chesed. The pasuk says:
ובאו עליך כל הברכות האלה והשיגך כי תשמע בקול ה' אלוקיך
When will all the brachos mentioned reach you? When you listen to the voice of Hashem. How do you listen to the voice of Hashem? By following in His ways: He is merciful – you be merciful, He has mercy even on reshaim, evil people, and accepts their teshuvah, you do so as well. Hashem provides all living things with food and clothing, you also have mercy on each other and provide for each other food and clothing, and have patience for each other.
Another method of following in Hashem’s ways is, Hashem is a chanun, meaning He gives freely to those who recognize Him and those who don’t, you also grant and give freely to each other.
Another method of following Hashem’s ways is, Hashem always looks for ways to find good in us, and pushes the scales towards kindness, we too should have patience with our friends and judge them favorably. We see how important and integral the middah of chesed is!