Kindness: starts with G-d, and ends with us

I recently received the following message:

“Dear Rabbi Fox, I perform free community concerts for the elderly. I do this to bring hope and joy to people through the musical talent that G-d gave me. Please may I share my talents with the residents at Sandringham Gardens. Regards, Max.”

Within days, Max was spreading his kindness to the residents of Sandringham Gardens.

Each of our festivals has a human theme. The theme of Pesach is freedom; the theme of Sukkot is joy; and the theme of Shavuot is kindness.

On Shavuot, we celebrate the anniversary of the Giving of the Torah, which was a divine kindness, as G-d shared His treasure with the Jewish people.

Rav Simlai points out that the Torah itself begins and ends with an act of kindness. It begins with G-d clothing the naked, “G-d made for Adam and his wife garments of skin and clothed them”, and it ends with G-d caring for the departed, “And He buried Moses in the valley.”

Repeatedly, the Torah calls upon us to emulate G-d by performing acts of kindness to uplift the lives of others and in His wisdom, He has created people in such a way that every person is in need of kindness.

The Sages teach us that kindness is more encompassing than charity as kindness can be performed for the wealthy and even for the departed. Furthermore, kindness can be accomplished through one’s body or through one’s money, whereas charity can be performed only with money.

There are so many ways to be kind that each of us can find a way to express our unique brand of kindness in a meaningful way.

Some people have the material resources to give financially, while others possess talents that they can share – like Max who graciously shares his musical talents to bring joy to people. Still others have an enormous capacity for compassion, and can provide comfort. Some are wise and can offer guidance; others are patient and can offer company and solace, an antidote to loneliness. Everybody has something special to give.

One of the reasons we read the Book of Ruth on Shavuot is because Ruth sacrifices a life of luxury to support her elderly mother-in-law, Naomi. Ruth didn’t have any money, yet she performed an incredible kindness through her physical and emotional support for Naomi.

As group rabbi of the Chevrah Kadisha, I often deal with sad and challenging situations, but I also regularly get to see people at their kindest. And although the types of kindness vary greatly, they all touch lives in a special way.

Our social workers give emotional support; doctors and nurses provide medical help; beauticians bring joy by making people look good; and the chefs in the kitchen delight the taste buds. The list goes on. Through the Chev’s volunteer programme, I see hundreds of people sharing their love and abilities with our residents and needy community members. And, of course, our donors enable the largest miracle in Africa, the jewel of our community, the Chev!

Our community is blessed to have a number of organisations involved in providing kindness – each unique and caring in its own way.

There’s a beautiful Gemara that illustrates the importance of kindness and the fact that it comes in various forms. Rabbi Beroka was in the marketplace, and he asked Elijah the prophet, “Is there any person here who merits the world to come?” First, Elijah said, “No”, but then two brothers came to the marketplace. Elijah said to Rabbi Beroka, “These two have a share in the world to come.” Rabbi Beroka went over to the men, and asked them, “What’s your occupation?” They answered, “We’re jesters – we cheer up those who are sad.”

We may not all be able to give everything to everyone, but we can all give something to someone.

I was recently inspired to write the following poem to thank the community for enabling the Chev to perform so much kindness on its behalf:

The Chev is a giant hand that is wide open if you should call

And a loving hand that lifts you up if you should fall.

The Chev is a giant hand that gives to those who lack

And a loving hand that gently pats you on the back.

The Chev is a giant hand that supports you when you are old

And a loving hand that warms you if you are cold.

The Chev is a giant hand that stretches far and wide

And a loving hand to rejoice with a groom and bride.

The Chev is a giant hand that guides you back if you go astray

And a loving hand that holds your hand into a brighter day.

The Chev is a giant hand that waves goodbye when it can let go

And a loving hand that embraces you if you feel low.

The Chev is a giant hand that is there for every Jew

And a loving hand that will always be there, thanks to people like you.

Chag sameach! May we all receive and internalise the Torah with joy and kindness this Shavuot.

• Rabbi Jonathan Fox is group rabbi of the Chevrah Kadisha.