For most people, "Just be a nice person," seems like an easily attainable
goal. Yet, in his famous work, Ahavas Chessed, the Chofetz Chaim
distinguishes the gap between simply doing a chessed, an act of kindness
and true love of chessed. With the deep insight for which he was known, the
sage notes that many people regard chessed as an obligation: they would feel
relief if the charity collector happens to bypass their door. It's true that
they would give if asked, and the action would be deemed a chessed, yet
their attitude falls far short of the ideal.
With the goal of helping every Jew develop a positive mindset toward
chessed, the Chofetz Chaim probes its importance in human relationships.
Demonstrating that chessed is no less than an emulation of G-dly compassion,
he reveals further that it links all Jews and underlies the Jew's
relationship with all Creation.
With classic simplicity, the Chofetz Chaim encourages every Jew to strive
toward love of chessed in his or her own life. Loving Kindness makes that
goal practical and attainable. Published in conjunction with the Chofetz
Chaim Heritage Foundation, it has the same easy-to-use daily calendar format
as Chofetz Chaim: A Daily Companion (on proper speech). Based on the
inspirational lectures on Sefer Ahavas Chessed of noted speaker Rabbi
Fishel Schachter, the book was prepared for publication by Chana
Nestlebaum.