Chesed

◌ Holiness demands suitable conduct.

That would almost seem to be a given, but I need to be reminded -- often. At around 3:15 a.m. this morning, when two persons parked their van across my driveway and chatted loudly for 45 minutes, I needed to be reminded. When they left their van there, to go down to the house down the street that is a "party house" on weekends, I needed to be reminded.

I did open the door and ask them to please move their van so we could use our driveway, and only by the pure grace of G-d was I nice about it. I thanked G-d as I returned to my bed. That sure wasn't the attitude of the "me" at the door this morning!

When one of their visitors woke me again by playing their vehicle stereo (or whatever they are called today) very loudly, I was highly irritated! I marched myself outside and down the street, dialogue on my mind. But I stopped, hands on my hips, and hoped my stare would be enough. It was.

Thank G-d!

So I asked myself, "What would be the best way to handle this?" Let it go? Roll over? Let the parties continue without saying anything? And I asked myself: what would be the kindest thing to do? In my opinion, the kindest thing to do is get involved. I am not the only one they keep awake every weekend, and being three houses up, I am not the one it bothers the most. So I will get together with my neighbors and see what they are thinking . . . .

◌ "A person who believes that he is already perfect will not admit that he is in need of completion, in which case the Torah will have been given to him in vain" ~~ Derashos HaKahoral.

◌ "The commandments of HaShem are only found in Torah. All other places we find them discussed in Scripture refer back to Torah. Keeping the commandments has, built into them, the blessings of HaShem. Ignoring them brings only judgment" ~~ Dan dV.

◌ To do what is right and just is more desired by G-d than sacrifice" Proverbs 21:3.

◌ Sodom's sin was "arrogance, abundant food and careless ease while not helping the poor and needy. Thus they were haughty and committed abominations before Me" Ezekiel 16:49, 50.

chesed: kindness
rav hachesed: master of kindness