Imaginary Kindness

Most of the favors we do for others are things they do not need, things they only imagine they need, because they live in a world propelled by fantasies.

And most of the kindness we do is saturated with ulterior motives. We do kindness for those we love, those close to us, or those who make us feel good when they receive.

But this does not matter. They are acts of kindness, nonetheless, and G‑d desires to be found in acts of kindness. And where can kindness be performed? In a world of delusions, where people imagine all sorts of needs and each of us is dependent on the other.

The highest, indeed, is found in the lowest; the deepest truths are submerged in the muddiest pits of confusion.

Reshimat Nefesh Hashefalah, cited and elucidated in Likkutei Sichot, volume 16, pp. 41ff.

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Jewish Unity

By Tzvi Freeman

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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14 Comments

Rabbi Tzvi Freeman Los Angeles September 9, 2016

For Richard again… Afterlife is a crucial component of Jewish thought. It's just that our central concern is, as you point out, fixing up this world we are in. And ultimately, this will be the best possible world—because the good in it will be from the hard work of our hands.

Concerning afterlife, please search under that keyword on our site. Reply

Richard Fl. September 8, 2016

Dear Rabbi Freeman,
Thank you for your response and clarification. I don't consider myself a virtuous person. Merely, I see a desperate situation that needs human attention.
Over the years, I had been told that Judaism doesn't believe in any form of after life, only in this current existence. Therefore, I decided to do what I could in a small way to aid other humans, especially children who deserve a chance to experience life without terminal illnesses or starvation.
I do learn from many of your points for discussion. However, I still have problems understanding the Holocaust and other such tragedies innocents endure. I can't accept rationalizations to make them seem part of a complete tapestry that we are too ignorant to understand.
Again, thank you for trying to help me understand why tragedies exist. Reply

Tzvi Freeman September 8, 2016

For Richard Richard, please don't misquote. I purposely used the word "Most" at the beginning of the sentence.

Most of us don't have the opportunity every day to help people who are actually starving or mortally ill. But acts of kindness are needed every day.

And most of us are not as virtuous as yourself. In the back of our mind, there's a pestering voice asking, "What's in it for me?"

And yes, it is a world of delusions—because most of us are in a dream. If we were not, the world would be a much, much better place. It would be the way it is meant to be.

May the rest of us wake up from our dream soon, very soon. Reply

Richard Florida September 6, 2016

Excuse my confusion. You say that the favors we do for others are things they do not need, only things they imagine they need. When I give to starving and/or mortally ill youngsters, this is not a case of imagination; nor is this something they could provide for themselves. And it doesn't boost my ego to give this help. I ask for nothing in return, and no one knows I am giving. I don't need any fine words nor recognition. My name will never grace a building nor do I seek an award nor dinner.
Please explain what you mean by a world of delusion and evil because if this is G-d's creation, why would he allow evil and delusion to flourish among his creatures? Also, please don't give me the old, story of free will that is used as a rationalization for the chaos that can not be explained by humans outside of nature and science. I could almost believe that what I read here as Evangelical Christian, which not even Jesus in his enlightened state seemed to focus on. I seek answers from you. Reply

zak San Diego August 31, 2014

When one is kind, one feels their happeness. For this is all that matters. Reply

Anonymous August 31, 2014

This is excellent! Thank you so much for posting this! Reply

inge reisinger zwickau germany August 31, 2014

B'H

so true so good to read this words thank you Reply

Mordi August 25, 2012

touchee Right back at you Faith !

New Hope. MN sounds like a great place to reside in.

Good Shabbos all ! Reply

Faith Savitt New Hope, MN/USA August 24, 2012

Thank You I always read your postings and commentary, although not as timely as you post. I forward your site to my adult children and refer friends (of all faiths). You brighten the day and insert the light of truth and you light our candles which become torches. I look forward to all that is presented and I just wanted to say, "Thank you" to all of you. Reply

Gavri Hanita Hazaka Abir Selek 2nd Vancouver, Canada August 23, 2012

Imagination The trouble with our imaginations is that they wonder off on us. One moment we are in Kings Palaces, the next moment we are riding dragons. From being the richest person on the planet to becoming the wisest person on the planet. Our mind love to wonder and give us adventures where we are the hero's of life and yet there is a time when we wake up and stair at reality. That point of realizing there is no changes from our daily life of working and showing kind and good deeds the things in life that really matter and do count for something. Reply

Anon. Kicking Horse Pass, BC August 23, 2012

the beautiful vision of Jaacob super interesting topic, Rabbi Freeman.

like a camera, the human eye has the ability to discover for the mind's eye - that there is a 'perceptive lens' that extends both upward and downwards - like when you take a picture.

So yes, in a sense its only a directional difference; up and down views are shown in a mirror-like function.

(As in how the letter aleph, read in reverse is the same gematria -- as it is forwards)

or, (maybe an easier example): as sunlight reflected on a dense material object, say a pewter bowl, still has the capacity to reflect (or refract) light. So the difference is not the mirror, it's lies in the level of density of the matter reflected. Reply

Eugina Giovanna Herrera New York, New York August 23, 2012

Imaginary Kindness Between fantasy and reality is there any kindness left Reply

Baruch Phoenix, AZ August 23, 2012

I don't understand the last sentance Perhaps Rabbi Freeman could explain the last sentence? Thank you. :) Reply

Mordi August 23, 2012

maybe I have a difficult time agreeing with this mystical view of the world.

People have real needs. Otherwise, why do they need practical advice, laws, commandments, justice, procreation, food sleep, weaponry for defense and so on down the line ? And these needs can coexist with the Ultimate Reality. " The deepest truths in the muddiest pit of confusion " is something i don't know what to do with. I need to make a financial living so that i can eat and stay alive. I can still eat in order to pray, but first things first.

If everything is based on mysticism, that is fine. But there is a simple level upon which life is based too. Reply

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