When do we say, 'Gd will provide'?

Hi,

"In truth, when we inquire of a person about his conduct in his household spending, in which he acts as though he was wealthy and great beyond his means, his answer is ready to hand. He says that he cannot reduce his household needs one iota, and he trusts Gd to help him with this.

"However, when a matter of tzedakah and chesed comes before him, he toughens his heart and closes his hand and makes himself out to be needy and indigent, and he does not even give according to his means.

"Regarding this Mishlei 13:7 says, 'There is one who acts as though he is wealthy and he has nothing, and one who acts as though he is poor and he has great wealth.'"

(Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan (Chafetz Chaim), Ahavat Chesed, Afterword)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Praying for others' welfare

Hi,

"Among the elements of kindness is to pray for people who are ill, for Gd to heal them... And the same applies to praying for someone who is in some other trouble, even without his knowledge, as we find that Avraham prayed for the people of Sdom, that their city should not be overturned."

(Rav Yisrael Meir Kagan (Chafetz Chaim), Ahavat Chesed, Chapter 8)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

How to comfort mourners

Hi,

"The fundamental issue in comforting mourners is to comfort them in their pain. The practice of reciting [the formula of] 'May Gd comfort etc', may fulfill the mitzvah of comforting mourners, but it would be better to speak to the mourner's heart and so alleviate his pain through one's words. This is the essential element of providing comfort."

(R' Yisrael Meir Kagan (Chafetz Chaim), Ahavat Chesed Perek 5)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Don't leave it for your children to do

Hi,

"Every person should seek to improve, personally, through his own energies, in any way he can find, whether in his Torah study or in his good deeds.

"He should not depend upon his children to complete the task after him through their deeds, or for them to elevate his status [through their good deeds]. Certainly, his children will also be busy with their affairs, and they, too, will not have time to improve their deeds, and they will depend upon their own children, who in turn will depend upon their descendants, and his hope will be for naught!"

(R' Yisrael Meir Kagan (Chafetz Chaim), Ahavat Chesed, Perek 4)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Prepare a Will

Hi,

"Sometimes a person depends upon himself, planning that when he will be close to death he will create a will and instruct his children to give to Torah study and other sacred causes on his behalf.

"Obstacles may arise, though. First, who knows whether he will have a clear mind? This, too, requires merit, to be able to instruct his children. Some people die, Gd-forbid, of abnormal and sudden deaths.

"Further, who knows that his children will fulfill his instructions? In our great sins, this is also known to happen, for greed causes a person to violate his Creator’s intent and his parent’s intent.

"Therefore, Shlomo haMelech instructed [Kohelet 9:10], “Do all that is in your power,” meaning that it would be better to direct one’s assets… when he is still strong, when he will be wise and able to do it in such a way that his desires will be honored."

(R' Yisrael Meir Kagan (Chafetz Chaim), Ahavat Chesed 3:4)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The definition of Gemilut Chasadim

Hi,

"Before anything one must know that the definition of 'Gemilut Chasadim' (generosity) is not specifically a matter of lending money, as some people think. Rather, it applies to any benevolent act, in which a person acts generously and benefits another person without receiving anything in return."

(R' Yisrael Meir Kagan, Ahavat Chesed, Introduction)

Have a great day,
Mordechai