Kindness is a virtue which is prized in every faith. Kindness brings one closer to God. In Judaism great importance is laid to a good moral life observed at every moment. Charity has a very high premium. It must be practiced with sincerity and a proportion of one’s income has to be kept aside for it.

Charity saves one from a death by selfishness. The word for charity is Tzedakah, a Hebrew word which means righteousness or justice. It is a religious obligation to help others and bring fairness to the world. Giving fairness to the world means helping people not only financially but in helping them in their work or relationships. And also volunteering.

The Torah describes three kinds of persons. One who says what is mine, is mine and what is thine is thine, is neutral. The second person says what is thine and what is mine is thine is a saint. The third person says what is thine is mine and what is mine. is mine is wicked. “Happy is he who gives to the poor but happy is he who considers the poor.”

And when you reap the harvest of the land, thou shalt not wholly reap the harvest of the land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corner of the field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather the gleaning of the harvest; thou shalt leave them for the poor and for the stranger.

I have seen this happen in the villages in India. When the crops have to be harvested, people who live in the cities, go back to their villages. They help the farmers and they are allowed to take a whole years’ worth of food in grains. While they are working, they are fed by the farmers. It is a joyous time for them.

Love, serve and give

Dear ones, what do we understand from this? We must be compassionate and give charity to people, who are not aware that we have enabled them. It is considered the highest form of giving. Swami Sivananda said love, serve and give. He repeated these words to all his disciples.

In a nutshell, all faiths advocate charity and giving selflessly. It is for us to accept and follow, without thinking that we are on a spiritual path. If we think that our spirituality is enhanced by charitable acts of giving, we come into a category of persons, who are ruled by their egos. Help people by volunteering. Teach your skills to those who can use them, this is also a form of charity.

Aim Hrim Klim