The Precept of Loving-Kindness

In its broadest sense, Gemilut Chassadim – Loving-Kindness includes any kind of personal service that one performs for another. More specifically it refers usually to the following personal obligations and their derivatives:

a) to grant free loans (of money or any other object);

b) to provide hospitality;

c) to visit and comfort the sick;

d) to provide clothing to those in need thereof;

e) to assist and gladden brides and grooms;

f) to attend the dead;

g) to comfort mourners;

h) to reconcile those that are at variance.

To grant free loans is mentioned explicitly in the Torah as a mitzvah on its own1, but it is generally included in the principle of Gemilut Chassadim. In fact, in colloquial usage Gemilut Chassadim is synonymous with free loans. The other obligations are generally derived from the following passage: "You are to follow G-d... and you shall cleave unto Him" (Deuteronomy 13:5) 2. On this verse the rabbis comment: "Is it then possible for a human being to follow the Shechinah (Divine Presence), for has it not been said ‘G-d, your G-d, is a consuming fire’ (Deuteronomy 4:24)? It means, however, to follow (emulate) the attributes of the Holy One, blessed is He: as G-d is called merciful and gracious, so you be merciful and gracious, and extend gratuitous kindness to all."

And the rabbis continue with proof-texts from Scripture: ‘as G-d clothes the naked... as G-d visits the sick... as G-d comforts mourners... as G-d attends the dead... as G-d attends brides and grooms... so you are to do also 3."