ii. Mitzvot of Chesed
Good Deeds of Loving Kindness
The mitzvot of chesed are the commandments or deeds of loving-kindness in Judaism. They are actions that express care, concern, and compassion for others, and they are an essential part of Jewish ethical and moral teachings. Some examples of mitzvot of chesed include:
Keep an Altar - A space in one's home that is dedicated as space to honor El Eyon, Creator God, Yahweh.
Practice the Disciplines of Chesed - Maintain one's wellbeing practices for the good health of mind, body, and spirit.
Visit the sick - Visiting people who are ill and offering them comfort and support is considered a mitzvah of chesed. This could involve bringing food or gifts, offering words of encouragement, or simply being present to listen and provide companionship.
Provide for the poor - Give Tzedakah. Providing for the needs of the poor is considered a mitzvah of chesed. This could involve donating money or goods to charitable causes, volunteering at a soup kitchen or food bank, or offering financial assistance to those in need.
Comfort mourners - Comforting those who have lost a loved one is considered a mitzvah of chesed. This could involve attending funerals or shiva services, offering words of sympathy and support, or helping with practical tasks such as cooking or cleaning.
Acts of kindness - Performing acts of kindness towards others is considered a mitzvah of chesed. This could involve offering a helping hand to a neighbor, giving a compliment or word of encouragement, or doing something unexpected and thoughtful for someone else.
Love Your Neighbor - This teaching is derived from the Torah, which instructs Jews to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Leviticus 19:18). This teaching emphasizes the importance of treating others with the same love, care, and respect that we would want for ourselves.
Share Freely - Sharing is a way of promoting sustainability and respect for the natural world. Indigenous Judaism has deep connections to the land and views it as a sacred and interconnected system. Sharing resources and using them wisely is seen as a way of honoring this connection and ensuring that future generations can continue to benefit from the land.
Forgive Quickly - Yeshua's teachings on forgiveness emphasize the importance of letting go of anger, resentment, and bitterness towards others, and of seeking forgiveness when we have caused harm or hurt to others. By practicing forgiveness, Christians can help to promote healing, reconciliation, and peace in their relationships and communities.
Give Compassion - Buddha taught compassion as a central part of his spiritual teachings because he recognized that compassion is a powerful force for healing, connection, and happiness. Buddha believed that by cultivating compassion, we could transform our own hearts and minds, and create a more compassionate and just society for all.
Rightful Speech - Right speech is a set of principles aimed at promoting wisdom, ethical behavior, and mental discipline. Right speech involves speaking truthfully, speaking kindly, speaking in a way that promotes harmony and understanding, and avoiding speech that is divisive, hurtful, or false. Some of the specific teachings on right speech in Buddhism include:
Speaking truthfully - Buddha taught the importance of speaking truthfully and honestly, avoiding exaggeration, deception, and falsehoods.
Speaking kindly - Buddha also emphasized the importance of speaking kindly and with compassion, avoiding speech that is harsh, critical, or hurtful to others.
Speaking in a way that promotes harmony - Buddha encouraged his followers to speak in a way that promotes understanding and harmony, avoiding speech that is divisive or that promotes conflict.
Avoiding mindless chatter - Buddha also cautioned against engaging in idle chatter or gossip, which can be a distraction from more meaningful or productive activities.
Overall, the mitzvot of Chesed are intended to promote kindness, compassion, and empathy towards others, and to help build a more caring and just society.
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