In the earlier parts to these series, we have explored the meaning of the first three of the Ten Sefirot, which we described as the attributes of the "intellect." We are now ready to explore the attributes of "action." The first of these is chesed, which is translated as "kindness."
Kindness is often thought of as being synonymous with niceness, but the connotation of chesed is much deeper than this. Chesed is properly described as an act that has no "cause."
When a person works for an employer, and then he gets paid, that pay is really a recycling of his own deed. Thus, the energy a stevedore expends in unloading boxes from a ship is recycled to him in the form of the money which he uses to buy bread. A chesed act, however, is an act which is not recycled -- for example, an anonymous gift to dedicate a scholarship fund.
An act of chesed act is that which is not recycled back, like an anonymous gift to charity.
Chesed is proactive –- it is the initiator of interaction, and must therefore be the first in the sefirot of action. Chesed deals with the level of visible, and in the chain of social dynamics is the primary spark that initiates subsequent action.
Being first is no mere hierarchical ranking. Being first carries within itself a property that no other element in the universe possesses. Every action in the universe has a cause –- except that which is the the first one. Within the sphere of visible action, chesed is without cause, a proactive expression of expansiveness.
The ultimate act of chesed is creation, an act that has no previous cause. The Psalms make this clear:
"The world is built with chesed." (Psalms 89:3)
When we call creation an act of chesed, we are not only talking about creation ex nihilo, "out of nothing," in the purely physical sense. Rather, we are also referring to the interaction between God and man.
One may mistakenly think that once the world is already in place, its continuity depends on human merit. (We fulfill God's commandments and therefore we are rewarded.) None of this can be possibly true about creation. It was a unilateral act. No one "deserved" to be. It was chesed in the ultimate sense.
NO GROUNDS FOR LITIGATION
This point is a very fundamental cornerstone of our interaction with God. The person who does not thoroughly understand that the relationship with God is built on a foundation of chesed, engages in litigation with God arguing he had been somehow "short-changed." Thus, all the dramatic debates that literature has produced concerning man calling God to task are built on the assumed argument that God "owes us something."
A worker may rightfully litigate his employer and tell him, "you are not giving me my due pay for the work done, for behold Mr. X is doing the same work and he is being paid double." But an alms collector cannot logically make the same argument to a donor.
If a young person dies, he cannot make the argument to God: "You wronged me, I did not deserve this."
Understanding that creation is an act of chesed removes the ability of man to litigate with God. Thus, if a young and righteous person dies, he cannot make the argument "You wronged me, I did not deserve to die." No person ever merited his own existence; no one "deserved" to be born.
God's reply to Job's litany of complaints was: "Who preceded me that I shall have to pay him?" (Job 41:3) God, in effect, told Job, "You may question, but you cannot debate."
The underlying foundation of all existence is a gift. I owe you nothing. (There is, however, a valid form of questioning God's actions, which we will discuss in a later piece.)
This aspect of chesed -- that it is by definition ex nihilo -- has an important ramification with regards to all the range of activity that the Torah deems chesed.
While purity of motive is virtuous with regard to every mitzvah, it is intrinsic to chesed. As soon as there is a motivation "for something" -- be it honor or a future payoff -- it has ceased being absolute chesed. It is just another action in the long series of links in the cause and effect chain.
THE MEANING OF TRUE KINDNESS
Thus the act of burying a dead person is called chesed shel emes –- "true kindness." For any act of chesed that is accorded to a person during his life is never "pure," it carries within itself some of the complexities of human interaction. Maybe I owe him a favor and am uncomfortable in refusing him, or perhaps I like having him owe me one. While with regard to other mitzvot this would be a mere "blemish" on an otherwise fine deed, with regard to chesed, this corrupts its very essence. For chesed by definition is "something for nothing."
Any hint of a return corrupts the very essence of chesed.
This understanding of chesed will also clarify for us the special status accorded to one's parents and the fact that this is mentioned in the Ten Commandments.
One usually understand this as gratitude for all the favors and good that one's parents have bestowed on him. But what about the child who had a stormy relationship with his parents? Or what about the child that was given up at birth for adoption? According to Jewish law, the child must honor his biological parents as if they had been fully functional parents. Why?
The answer is that parents have done the only true chesed with the child, -- that is, giving him existence. Any other act of benefit to a child is an act within a previously existing framework, and is therefore of a much lower dimension. The gift of life the parents have given a child is a gift that cannot be compared to any other act of kindness toward him.
This is the reason that we are told that the honor towards one's parents is likened to respect towards God. For both have given the person his existence and this gift as such is worlds apart from favors, benefits, and other kindness bestowed on a person.
Let us sum up. Chesed is the first step of action. It is true that it is preceded by "thought" but as far as "deed" is concerned it is the first step. It is not a reaction to any previous deed. It is an act parallel to creation, an act ex nihilo. Chesed is also the one of the Ten Sefirot that describes the beginning of any relationship of God to man.
(27) Anonymous, December 10, 2020 3:07 PM
honor abusive parent because one values oneself seems other than pure
I wish the article on chesed made me feel like I could lose the pain of being
denigrated and abused by a parent but it doesn't. I have that sense of
honor but it seems fields away from a base that puts those parents in
the place I go to God. I may have some self pity, but I am lead to give an
even hand and stay from the remaining parent, suspect her. I don't know much about the Kabbalah. I bought a book once, and these articles seem to matter now that I just found them and I'm glad to read them.
(26) chaim, November 15, 2020 1:23 PM
chesed
if the world is built on chesed why do bad thigs happen?
(25) Paul, October 11, 2013 1:13 PM
Is the reference to Psalm 89:3 correct?
Great article! I have been studying the true meaning of chesed and your article really helped with my understanding. Just one question, I looked up Psalm 89:3 and it appears to be a totally different verse. Is the reference correct, or do I have the wrong translation?
(24) Nicola, September 5, 2013 4:45 PM
Daughter's name is Chessa
Thank you for this writing. I named my daughter Chessa after the Hebrew word chesed. I like that chesed contributes to tikkunolam which means "repairing the world". My daughter came to us (in Seattle, WA) from Ethiopia when she was two. She is now 9 and has a heart that is so beautiful that I believe she already contributes to repairing the world and showing compassionate kindness like no child I've met. What a gift from God.
(23) Anonymous, November 3, 2012 3:57 AM
Does anyone commit Chesed?
I'll be the first to admit being both cynic and pessimist. But I think I am right in saying that there are few - if any - acts done by humans that validates chesed. People have already mentioned the thing about birth, so I won't beat that dead horse any further into the ground. But unless one is acting on true impulse, every action requires motivation - which has the word 'motive' in it. Does anyone commit true chesed? Even when we help people, our motive is to see them get better; thought precedes action. Are human beings naturally giving, or do we have to be taught kindness and giving? Chochmah is a flash of inspiration, but does it leave room for instruction from a righteous person?
(22) Chiedu, May 12, 2011 11:28 AM
God's kindness as "Something for Nothing"?
On one hand this article says that None Deserves to be born (for nothing can be seen as what anyone has done to merit being born or created). On another it explains kindness as "something for Nothing." I suppose the "Something" is the creation and or giving of life to a person. How should kindness be felt in the recipient, after all God's kindness is not readily (always) perceived or felt as good? How and or what will bring one to feel and perceive God's "Kindness" or creation and giving of life in this world as good?
(21) manny givot, May 8, 2011 2:33 PM
rightous meaning grateful?
thanks Barry, I think you are a very kind soul with a good sense of humour, I really miss my friend Michael Greene, although he is an orthodox rabbi in Far Rockaway, he never had an issue with me and my lack of belief in judiaism or any organized religion. I've always believed in god and I've always been spiritual, yet skeptical of anything that felt binding/conforming. I hate rules, unless I'm breaking them! I realize that they are needed in a society, but they don't really apply to me! So I'm really not very nice, I'm an ego maniac!
manny givot, May 9, 2011 2:07 AM
ur welcome
ditto
(20) Tom Fallon, March 10, 2011 5:22 AM
That was really good - just stumbled on this site - really appreciate your writting.
(19) Anonymous, March 2, 2011 2:03 AM
question
Is it possible in some cases the child would have been better off if never conceived?
(18) alex, February 28, 2011 9:04 AM
I think its true
Giving birth to a baby is an unparalled feeling of love, and whether or not there was motive behind it, once it takes place, there is an untouchable connection. That is why people often have issues with surragate mothers and so forth. Also i believe the love itself for the child qualifies as "chesed" no matter how much your child hurts you, you will never turn your back on him or her. Your not asking for your child to do anything for you, but you can't help but feel absolutely in love with him or her regardless of downfalls. I dont know if people have babies just for the feeling of happiness, but i think they have them so they have someone to give their unrelenting love to. just an opinion.
(17) Anonymous, May 3, 2010 8:39 PM
Chessed/kindness
In the mess our world is in this is hard to digest, but as someone who works with clay the idea of a creator (God) creating (child) and giving them the opportunity to create seems good but what about the idea God formed man to have a relationship with Him, does that not invalidate chessed.???
(16) Shamai, August 13, 2008 8:46 PM
What is Chesed?
Is Chesed the beginning or the end? Are we of service in our life, or is our life service? Were we created to be, or to do? Is being, in fact doing? or is doing, in fact, being? Which came first? Since we are talking duality, then both can not exist without the other. So then, chesed is the breath of life that created life, the breath (noun) and the breath (verb). The vibration that created (Naam)and to which we all return.
(15) Zentonil, July 13, 2008 9:51 PM
giving life or giving TO life?
Thank you for another insightful article, however, I find myself among those dissenting against your opinion that giving someone existence is an act of pure Chesed. I must also disagree with Dov's (10/31/01) assertion that a couple would ever propagate with the sole motivation of giving life to another being. Nature rewards intercourse with carnal pleasure as a means to preserve itself. Lacking consciousness the sole purpose of life is to consume and reproduce. Is it coincidence that the uneducated are populating our planet the fastest?
Would it be fair to interpret the essence of pure Chesed as the act of resigning ones Ego and serving others in acts of benevolence. In this model QUALITY of life is improved as a means to assist others in their search to reconnect with the Creator.
(14) simon jiang, September 27, 2007 12:51 PM
i do not agree with this statement
"The answer is that parents have done the only true chesed with the child, -- that is, giving him existence."
I think there is also hidden motive to give birth to a baby, because some parents just want to feel the loveliness of the baby. They want the feeling of being a parents as a return, so how can you say that "giving existence to a baby" is pure?
(13) James Pace, July 13, 2007 11:12 PM
continuationg
If Da'at is the child, Chesed is the love of a parent for their child. Working for their wellbeing not for what they will do for you in the future, but only wanting to see their happiness.
(12) Thierry, May 10, 2007 1:48 PM
Thank you for this insightful article!
With only a few words, you have managed to put light on the meaning of Chesed. It is truly a wonderful lesson that everyone should know!
(11) Dvirah, April 5, 2007 2:38 PM
Reply to Emman 3/22/2004
Regarding true altruism, remember that we were created "in the image" of a Creator and therefore have (potentially) the same ability to create; albeit on a much smaller level.
(10) Rich F, September 26, 2005 12:00 AM
Thank you
I am a Jew who had no knowledge of Kabbalah except the 40-year-old rule. Many people (non-Jews) hear about the Hollywood "Kabbalah" fad and ask me about it. Now I will have something useful to say about it!
My only complaint: I cannot tear myself away from these lessons and do my work!
(9) Anonymous, August 6, 2004 12:00 AM
Suddenly I get it
That is a truly amazing article. Within a few words, you've managed to epitomize something I've been trying to understand for a long while. thank you
(8) aaron, May 31, 2004 12:00 AM
Hello
I think that this is a great spot for learning but i think that you should try to use much simpler words so that kids can understand it as well as adults that cant speak that well english thank u and agaian this is the best website ever
(7) Rivkah, May 30, 2004 12:00 AM
new perspective
I gained new insight into the deaths of my mother (at age 32) and my best friend (at age 31), both of blessed memory. Thank you.
(6) kim, April 18, 2004 12:00 AM
I have never thought of 'chesed-kindness in this way.I understand now why God want us to honour our parent, is because it is chesed-proactivate kindness of giving life.How true.I enjoy reading this site .I read it very slowly as not to miss anything.Thank you well done.
(5) Emman, March 22, 2004 12:00 AM
Can there really be True Ultruism among finite beings?
Greetings to you Hornoable Rabbi!! The reponses or comments of both Dr. Shanti Persaud(dated 2/11/04)and Dov Laufer(dated 10/31/01)on your thoughtful and insightful article on Chessed or kindness raised a lot of issues that begs for further analysis and clarification for me, and perharps for many like me, who are truely seeking the truth of our existence. Aish and and my study of Kabbalah has impressed on me that there is a wholesome and profoundly beautiful meaning to our existence in this world and I hope to assimilate as much knowledge as possible about it all before I move on to my next phase of existence.
Meanwhile, as a begining student of Kabbalah, it is still over my head how finite beings can "truely" practice ultruism, after all we are nothing but "a will to receive" created from nothing. And we "naturally" do something for something. Help!! Shalom!!!!
(4) Shanti Persaud (Dr.), February 11, 2004 12:00 AM
The essence of true Chesed is that it has no a priori nothing, it is pure, original substance of the heart that can also exist in this life through others. This begs the debate about true ultruism.
Is giving life to another truly unconditional and unmotivated? What about the couple who wants to have a child(ren) for their own needs/desires? Men wanting to propogate the species, demanding "sons" as the "female" is not valued as much? There are good motivations and conditionalities for giving life but that is not the issue at hand. What about the father who bearts his pregnant wife to bits, even causing psychological damage to the offspring? I agree with everything you say, and, I am also challenging some ideas. Thanks and shalom. Shanti
(3) Reinaldo de Oliveira Dyonizio, February 3, 2002 12:00 AM
Thank You Very Much!!!
Kabbala is wonderful, it is Excellent.
(2) Dov Laufer, October 31, 2001 12:00 AM
Parents Bestowal of Life -- Is It Chesed?
I have great difficulty with R. Leiberman's blanket statement in this article that "the gift of life the parents have given a child is a gift that cannot be compared to any other act of kindness toward him."
In the past it was necessary to have many children so there would be enough hands to work the farm. Can it be considered an act of chesed to have a child for this motive?
Can it be considered an act of chesed if one has many children so one's status in the community is enhanced?
Can it be considered an act of chesed if a child is born out of an adulterous relationship?
The parents may bestow "a gift that cannot be compared to any other act of kindness" upon the child if the only motive they want a child is to give life to another being. Thus, they will be in concert with the Torah's foundational principle of Imitato Deus (emulating God).
(1) Larry Duncan, July 1, 2001 12:00 AM
The essence of alturism.
I am a seeker of true wisdom and I truly think I have found a wounderful teacher in Rabbi Shimon Leibermon. Shalom.