What is the difference between kindness and compassion?
Kindness gives to another.
Compassion knows no “other.”
From the wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory; words and condensation by Rabbi Tzvi Freeman. Subscribe and get your dose daily. To order Rabbi Freeman’s latest book, Wisdom to Heal the Earth, click here.
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Michele
Delaware
June 11, 2020
Kindness is the action. Compassion is the feeling that prompts the action. May we all work to reach the level of seeing no "other." Reply
David Chester
Petach Tikva, Israel
June 11, 2020
Kindness is the result in the good and ethical way that people can help each other. It is a human attribute which we also apply to G-d.
Compassion on the human scale is only a feeling and wordy expression, not an action. However, when is used in prayer we expect that G-d will respond in some sort of action that is beyond our power to perform or even to understand.
For many years in some of my writings about macroeconomics, I have been using the nom-de-plume of "Macrocompassion". In other words I have been expressing my feelings, analytic findings (and beliefs) of what I have derived and regard as being a true science. This is one that is fitting for all peoples to better understand and to appreciate. This knowledge is aimed at making the world a better place.
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Eleanor Skibo
Pennsylvania, USA
May 10, 2019
Kindness gives to others in many ways; it releases love from the heart, it speaks words of awesome beauty, it thinks of others before thinking of oneself, it hears and listens to sounds of delight, it sees the beauty that beholds its eyes and reaches out with its arms and legs to perform good deeds. Compassion knows not whom it chooses to help in some way, shape or form, it just knows it’s the right heartfelt thought to have for another and to bestow some type of good upon another. Reply
Alice Sood
Torrance
January 8, 2016
So much conveyed in few words...the significance of kindness and compassion...
👍
Thanks for these beautiful words of wisdom!
Reply
Gershon Hoffman
Las Vegas
January 8, 2016
Profound beyond words. Reply
farah sajid
pakistan
January 8, 2016
New Thank you Rabbi, i never think so deep like you,again thank you for give us bright talk with deep thought of life. Reply
Daniel
Minneapolis
April 25, 2015
Kindness may be the root, while compassion may be a spiritual feeling. Reply
Susie Kahn Parker
Northridge, CA
November 13, 2011
Compassion
Thank you, "anonymous in Lawrence, NY"! I think I now grasp it. But I have been enjoying the other thought-provoking comments as well. As someone who doesn't have knowledge of Hebrew, and only basic knowledge of Talmud, as an adult, I find that these ideas turn around in my head in some sort of "mystical dance".
I get so much from my "Daily Dose"!
Reply
Zalman
brooklyn, NY
November 11, 2011
RE: Which one is greater
As the writing implies that Compassion is greater and some don't see that much of a distinction. This might help.
We usually think of Love as the deepest feeling we can have for another. But this is because we see compassion as a shallower "I feel bad for you" emotion. That compassion is in fact lower than love and comes with a strong sense of superiority.
Kindness is when I give what I have to someone in need or someone I love. Either way, there is always some sense (perhaps super subtle) of my superiority. I am a giver
True compassion is when you connect at a level within yourself that is so deep it transcends your individuality. With that compassion, you can share with one whom you otherwise dislike or one who is (intellectually and emotionally) undeserving of kindness just as easily as giving to someone you love.
Reply
yehuda
st louis, mo
November 9, 2011
kindness and compassion Kindness seems to be shared and compassion seems to be personally internal. Reply
Daniel
staten island, ny
November 9, 2011
my idea
Kindness maybe the act of doing. Sharing with others or recieving from others.
Compassion is the feeling of oneness with another, feeling anothers desires and catering to them.
thus,
Kindess is the act (the physical aspect)
compassion is the feeling. (the spirtual aspect)
One goes hand and hand with the other
The soul guides the body
Reply
F. Reison
Kingston
November 9, 2011
Connecting the dots in our universe ...
IF kindess implies a movement outward ... like painting a straight line ...
then does compassion imply reception, in inward acceptance?
or is Compassion both at the same time? representing an outward movement & an inward alignment, like a geometry, a figure 8;
an 'om' ;
in hebrew, a 'hey', that contains an 'om' symbol within in borders ...
Gateway & destination; & then further movement of kindness ...
...cosmic seeds bearing fruit?
~~~~~~
the daily dose & the community of comments here is truly ... a breakfast of champions!!
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Anonymous
Forest Hills, NY/USA
November 9, 2011
Compassion I am not able to understand right at the beginning either. The rabbi's explanation helps. But I have to confess I do not know exactly whether I distinguish the 2 matters. I just trust Hashem that He makes me a kinder, a more sensitive, a better person to whosoever I come in contact with. Reply
Anonymous
Efrat, Israel
November 9, 2011
kindness/compassion To my mind they are the same, where compassion includes feeling more empathy. Reply
Anonymous
lawrence, ny
November 9, 2011
Re: Susie
I like your take on this, though I believe that it is something much simpler than that. Compassion is the type of giving that is free of pride. Kindness is sympathy while compassion is empathy. Compassion FEELs someone elses lacking and gives rather than to kindness, which SEEs someone else that doesnt have and gives. One thing sees another, but two things feel together, creating unity.
That's just my $.02.
Thanks Reb Tzvi,
Have a great day everyone!
Reply
Anonymous
Nadi Town, Fiji
November 9, 2011
Compassion I read about what compassion is. It's good to know. Thanks(Vinaka) Reply
Susie Kahn Parker
Northridge, CA
November 9, 2011
Kindness and Compassion I have been reading and re-reading these two sentences, trying so hard to grab some understanding. I'm thinking that when one considers "kindness" and "compassion" they can be taken to be different kinds of tzedakkah, as described by Maimonides. Kindness can be given "first person to second", while "compassion" can be as part of the highest level of tzedakkah: the giver does not know the recipient, and the recipient does not know the donor. I shall return to the "daily dose" and peruse it over and over until I get some real understanding. If anyone can "enlighten me", please do! Reply
Michal
Tittling, Germany
November 9, 2011
To "high" for me to understand
For me kindness is more than compassion.
I try to be good (and in this emulating G-d)
to everybody. It does not depend on my feeling, but on the need of my (brother/sister/stranger) at the very moment. Compassion is a feeling. I have compassion with people, because there was an earthquake or a flood, and it happens far away. It does not mean I can do anything.
Only in the love to my husband s"l there was no "you". His pain was my pain, and his joy was my joy. How can I ever be so near to anyone else in the world? So, how can compassion be something higher than kindness??? - And with Hashem, I don't long for compassion, I long for His love. This love is kindness at the same time.
Is there something wrong in my thinking? -
Reply
Monty
Efrat, Israel
November 9, 2011
kindness / compassion Not sure I understand this. Reply
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