Ruth – Help: I Need Somebody

Ruth – Help: I Need

One of the most important lessons we can learn in our lives is that selflessness leads to your own benefit. When you help another person you get as much or even more out of it.

A common example of this is taking care of the sick or the elderly. You are emotionally fulfilled by helping. You get a feeling of self worth when you help a person who is incapable of doing something for himself.

The real concept of Chesed includes those who seem undeserving. If they had it coming to them you would not be doing chesed but would be performing a regular act. An example of this is to help a person to succeed. True success only comes after a long time. Perseverance in helping someone for a long period of time is a great chesed. When he does succeed you reap the benefits as well as the one you helped.

When given the opportunity to assist someone in there personal growth do not say, “Who is he to deserve my assistance?” Instead you should say, “How can I help that fellow who might be able to give back so much good to society?”

Chesed is the best thing that a person can do. So important is it that all of the books of the Torah contain over 290 references to the word.

Our rabbis of blessed memory have said:

Succah 49b Our rabbis have taught: In three ways chesed is greater than Tzedaka. Tzedaka is done only with money while Chesed can be performed with both your body and your money. Tzedakah is only given to the poor Chesed is done to both poor and rich alike. Tzedakah is done only to the living while chesed is done both to the living and to the dead. (Cleansing a dead body and attending a funeral is Chesed the dead)

A person who performs a lot of Chesed can be even better than a person who gives charity. The book of Ruth is a demonstration of how much everyone can benefit from good will and Chesed.

From beginning to end we see the main charachters helping each other much more than would ever be required.

Ruth Rabbah Perasha B: Rabbi Zeira this Story does not have laws of impurities and purities, nor laws that are forbidden or permitted. So why was it written? To teach you how much good reward comes to those who bestow kindness.

The book of Ruth is the best demonstration of how the Torah instilled in many individuals the attribute of Chesed. King David was a descendant of Ruth. He was also from the tribe of Yehudah. This teaches us that a person who comes from the lowest, most despicable background can improve himself through Chesed. The Mashiach – Son of David will be born through this Chesed.

How can that possibly be?

Moab were a people born of the relationship between Lot and his daughter. Moab even means “from father.” They were so bad that the Torah forbids marrying them. This was interpreted as only referring to marrying males.

From the tribe of Judah David descended through Judah’s forbidden relationship with Tamar his daughter in-law.

This demonstrates even more that Chesed is rewarded many times over.