CHESED-RELATED SOURCES
Achdut/Unity
Israel will not be redeemed until they are one group. (society) Tanhuma Nitzavim
All Israel are brothers and friends Midrash Tanhuma Naso 1: (Numbers Rabbah 9:7?)
Companions that are gathered here, as you have been close friends hitherto, so may you never part until God shall give you glad greeting, and for your sake may there be peace in the world.' - Zohar, Vayikra, Section 3, Page 59b
At the time when Israel is acting as one society,(even if there is idol worship among them), the attribute of justice will not touch them. Tanhuma Shoftim 18
I will give them one heart and one way. Jeremiah 32:39
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Psalms 133.1
Bikkur Cholim/Visiting the Sick
G-d visiting Abraham Genesis 18:1, Talmud Bava Metzia 86b
Comforting mourners and visiting the sick and acts of kindness bring good to the world. Avot DeRabbi Natan 30 (also in “comforting mourners”)
Visiting the sick has no limits—even the old should visit the young—even 100 times a day. Talmud Nedarim 39b
Whoever visits the sick, it is as if he removes part of his sickness and makes it easier on him, while one who ignores a sick person is like one who sheds blood. Maimonides, Mishneh Torah, Laws of Mourning 14:4
Whoever visits the sick will be spared punishments of the next world. Nedarim 40a
Rabbi Akiva went out and taught: one who does not visit the sick is like one who sheds blood. Nedarim 40a
Visit the sick for sympathy lightens pain . . . Fatigue him not by staying too long . . .Enter cheerfully for his heart and eyes are on those who come in. Eliezer b. Isaac, Orhot Hayyim, c. 1050. (Hebrew Ethical Wills, JPS, 1926)
Whoever visits the sick causes him to live, and whoever doesn't visit the sick causes him to die. Talmud Nedarim 40a
G-d visited the sick; so should you visit the sick. Talmud Sotah 14a
Whoever visits the sick removes one sixtieth of his sickness. Talmud Nedarim 39b
Anyone who has a sick person in his house should go to a wise man and ask for mercy on his behalf. Talmud Bava Batra116a
Chesed/Acts of Kindness
Every individual who has kindness is called an angel of G-d. Zohar Bemidabar 222
When a man puts on the phylactery of the hand, he should stretch out his left arm as though to draw to him the Community of Israel and to embrace her with the right arm. Zohar, Leviticus 3:55a
He who performs a good deed gains an advocate. Mishna Avot 4:11
Your deeds will bring you near or drive you far. Mishna, Eduyot 5:7
Our answer must be given in deeds, not words. Bahya, Hovot halevavot 7.10
All depends on deeds. Mishna Avot 3:15
Ben Azzai says, “Run to perform a `minor' (light) mitzvah as if it were a (heavy) major one. And run away from sin. Avot 4:2
Run to do a light mitzvah, because it will lead you to do a weighty mitzvah. Igrot D'Rabbi Natan 2:2 and Bemidbar Rabba 10:22
By benevolence, man rises to a height where he meets G-d. Therefore, do a good deed before you begin your prayers. Ahai Gaon, Sheiltot c.760
For each little effort toward holiness, Heaven endows man richly. Talmud Yoma 39a
Acts of kindness are called life. Yalkut Tehillim taf, taf, ayin, dalet
Whoever is involved in learning Torah and performing good deeds, all his sins are forgiven. Tanhuma Tazria 9
Kindness is forever, but tzedakah is only for three generations
One good deed leads to another good deed. Avot 4:2
The Torah begins with an act of loving-kindness and ends with an act of loving-kindness. It begins with loving-kindness, as it says, “And G-d made Man and Woman garments of skin, and clothed them.” It ends with loving-kindness as it says, “And He buried him in the valley. Talmud Sotah 14a
Two are better than one . . . for if they fall, one can raise the other, but woe to those who are alone and fall with no companion to raise them! Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.
When you eat of the labor of your hands, happy shall you be and all shall be well with you. Psalms 128:2
God has seen the labor of my hands. Genesis 31:42
If there is one righteous man, the whole world stands for his sake. Marmorstein, Old Rabbinic Doctrine of G-d, 1927, P. 48
Great are acts of kindness, because were it not for them, man would not have been created. Genesis Rabbah 8
When a man departs this life, neither silver nor gold nor jewels accompany him, only Torah and good deeds. Avot 6:9
If you saw one who is engaged in Torah study and performing good deeds, in the future he will merit the crown of old age . . . Shochar Tov Tehillim 16
Jacob said to Joseph, “If you do for me this kindness after my death, it will be a kindness of truth.” Genesis Rabbah 96
From here you see the reward of those who perform acts of kindness; Even though Moses had many names, the only name designated to him in the Torah is the one that Batya, the daughter of Pharaoh, named him. Exodus Rabbah 1
He whose good deeds exceed his wisdom, his wisdom will endure. But he whose wisdom exceeds his good deeds, his wisdom will not endure. Avot 3:9
When a person departs from this world, neither his silver, nor gold, nor precious stones nor pearls accompany him; only his Torah and good deeds. Avot 6:9
The world stands on three things: On the Torah, on the service (of G-d), and on acts of loving-kindness. Avot 1:2.
Acts of kindness are among those things that have no limits. Mishna Peah 1
“And you should show them the way” - This means acts of kindness; “in which they should go” - this is visiting the sick; “to it” - this is burial. Talmud Bava Kamma 100a.
Three gifts did G-d give to Israel: people who are merciful, people who are modest, and people who perform acts of kindness. Bemidbar Rabbah 8
What did King David do? He performed acts of kindness for everyone. Kohelet Rabbah 7
Regard as trivial the good you did to others, and as enormous, the little good others did to you. Talmud Derech Eretz 1.29
G-d said, More beloved to me are acts of kindness than the sacrifices that Israel will bring before me. Pirkei DeRrabbi Eliezer 12
Whoever does kindness; it is as if he acknowledges all the miracles that G-d performed. Yalkut Shoftim 64
Our Rabbis taught: Deeds of loving-kindness are superior to charity in three respects. Charity can be accomplished only with money; deeds of loving-kindness can be accomplished through personal involvement as well as with money. Charity can be given only to the poor; deeds of loving-kindness can be done for both poor and rich. Charity applies only to the living; deeds of loving-kindness apply to both the living and the dead. Succa 49b
Just as he is gracious, so be you gracious. Just as he is merciful, so be you merciful, etc. Talmud Shabbat 133b
Do G-d's will as if it were your own. Avot 2:5 (Rabban Gamliel)
And you shall show them the way they should go . . . Exodus 18:20. “The way”—this means acts of kindness. Talmud Bava Metzia 30b
“Walk in the ways of the Almighty,” by emulating his deeds. Deuteronomy 13:5, 28:9, and Sotah 14a
If the spirit of one's fellow is pleased with him, the spirit of G-d is pleased with him. Avot 3:10
Three signs identify this people: They are merciful; they are bashful; and they perform deeds of loving-kindness. Talmud Yevamot 79a
A mitzvah is a lamp and the Torah is light - Proverbs 6:23
He whose deeds surpass his wisdom, to what is he compared? To a tree whose branches are few, but whose roots are abundant; even if all the winds in the world come and blow against it, they will not be able to move it from its place. Avot 3:17
The righteous say little and do much. Talmud Bava Metzia 87a
Whoever performs acts of kindness, merits sitting in the shadow of G-d. Jerusalem Talmud Ta'anit 4
Rain falls in the merit of acts of loving-kindness. Jerusalem Talmud Ta'anit 3
You have been told what is good and what the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your G-d. Michah 6:8
He loves charity and justice; the earth is filled with the loving kindness of the Lord. Tehillim 33:5
Man's deeds are the measure of his days. Mishle Yehoshua 23:11
Let her own deeds praise her in the gates. Proverbs 31:31
Be happy with the present that you gave within your household. Derekh Eretz Zuta
All Torah and prayer that does not have with it good deeds and repentance, the Torah is nullified and the prayer is not desirable. Otot DeRabbi Akiva (?) Otiot Ketanot 1
He who possesses learning and piety is like an artist with his tools ready to hand. Avot de Rabbi Natan, 22.
Whoever sleeps in his bed at night, and thinks in his heart and says, “Tomorrow I will wake up early and do a favor for so and so,” in the future he will rejoice with the righteous in the Garden of Eden. Midrash Shokhar Tov Mishlei 12 (review transl - Otzar Ga'agadah)
Dealing with Others
Do not forsake your own friend Proverbs 27:10
Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai was always careful to greet first anyone who he met, (even a Gentile in the marketplace). Berakhot 17a:
Any love that is dependent on some thing, when that thing is gone, the love is gone. But if it is not dependent on any thing, it will never cease. Avot 5:16
Be sure to inquire about the welfare of others. Igrot D'Rabbi Natan 29:7
Be first to greet everyone. Pesikta Zutrati B'shalach 18:7
Matia ben Heresh said: Be the first to greet everyone. Avot 4:15
When a man knows that his friend is in the habit of greeting him [i.e., saying, "Peace be to you"], he should greet him first, for it is said, "Seek peace and pursue it" (Ps. 34:15). - B. Ber 6b.
To welcome a fellow man is to welcome the Divine Presence (Shechina). Mechilta, to Exodus, 18:12
Respect/honor every person. Kallah samech peh dalet
If the spirit of his fellow is pleased with him the spirit of G-d is pleased with him. Avot 3:10
There are many things man can do without, except men. Boerne, Umgang mit Menschen,1824. (Ludwig Boerne, German author 1786-1837)
As one hand washes the other, so must one man help another. Leon of modena, Tzemah Tzaddik 1600
And you shall love your neighbor as yourself. Lev. 19:18
Love your neighbor as yourself. Lev. 19:17
Do not hate your brother in your heart. Vayikra 19:17
This is what the Holy Blessed One said to Israel, My children, I have not deprived anything of you. I only ask that you love each other, treat each other with dignity, and stand in awe of each other. Seder Eliyahu Rabbah 26
Whoever says, “What's mine is yours and what's yours is yours,” is a pious person. Avot 5:10
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city. Proverbs 18:19
As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far away country. Proverbs 25:25
They should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions to one another, and gifts to the poor. Book of Esther 9:22
Elderly
Why is Israel compared to a bird? Just as a bird can only fly with its wings, so Israel can only survive with the help of its elders.
He who learns from the old, to what can he be compared? To one who eats ripe grapes and drinks aged wine. Avot 4:20 (26)
In many places we learn that God showed respect to the elders. Genesis Rabbah 5:12
Cast me not off in time of old age; When my strength fails, forsake me not. Psalms 71:9
Abandon me not when I grow old. Psalms 71:9
Guage a country's prosperity by its treatment of the aged. Nahman Bratslav, Sefer HaMiddot 1821, pg. 66.
And the moon shall be confounded and the sun ashamed, when G-d shall reign in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and before his elders will be his glory. Isaiah 24:23
Blessed is the generation in which the old listen to the young. And doubly blessed is the generation in which the young listen to the old. Talmud Rosh Hasahana 25b
Whoever honors the old, it is as if he honors G-d. Alfa Beta D'ben Sira #60
Whoever greets the old, it is as if he greets the Divine Presence. Midrash Tanhuma 25, 6 (and see “Kol Hamekabel)
The glory of young men is their strength, and the beauty of the old men is the gray head. Proverbs 20:29
Children's children are the crown of old men, and the glory of the children are their fathers. Proverbs 17:6
With age comes wisdom, and length of days brings understanding. Job 12:12
(Show respect to an old man who has forgotten his learning through no fault of his own, for we have learned that) Fragments of the old tablets were kept alongside the new tablets in the Ark of the Covenant. Talmud Berachot 8b
As my ancestors planted for me, so I am planting for my children and grandchildren. Ecclesiastes Rabbah 2:20
You shall honor the old. Leviticus 19:32
Ein Torah naeh v'yaeh elah mipi zaken. Pesikta Zutrata 21:6
Friendship
Whatever I want for myself, I want the same for the other person. Maimonides, Sefer Hamitzvot, Positive Mitzvah #206.
Do not be scornful of any person. Avot 4:3
A brother helped by a brother is like a fortified city. Book of Proverbs (can't find it there)
Everyone has a friend he/she can talk to. Talmud Ketubot109b, Bava Batra 282(check translation)
MAN (ADAM) is an expression of love,4 of brotherliness,5 and of friendship. Lev. Rabbah 2:8
There are friends who merely pretend friendship, and there is a true friend who is closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24
A friend loves at all times, and a bother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17
(Torah is acquired through 48 virtues . . .one is cleaving to friends . . .one is sharing the burden Avot 6:6)
Be mindful of the honor of your friends. Berakhot 28b
Cf. B.B. 65a, Ber. 5a. When a gift is given most generously, there is joy on all sides, and the recipient does not feel abashed.
Whoever knows that his friend is wont to greet him should greet him first. Talmud Berakhot 6b
I have learned a lot from my teachers, and even more from my friends. Talmud Ta'anit 7a
Whoever receives the face of his friend . . . the face of his rabbi, it is as if he received the face of the Divine Presence. Jerusalem Talmud 1;1; Mekhilta and Pesikta Zutrata Yitro 18:12
A knife becomes sharpened only by another knife. So too does a wise person get sharpened/praised only through his friend. Bereishit Rabbah 69 Must check tranl.
Go out and see which is the straight path, to which a person should adhere . . . a good friend. Avot 2:9
May He who has caused His name to dwell in this house cause to dwell among you love and brotherhood and peace and friendship.
If your friend greets you with lentils, greet him with meat. Bemidbar Rabbah 38 (Check trans)
Let the honor of your friend/colleague be as the reverence of your teacher, and the reverence of your teacher as the reverence of Heaven. Avot 4:12 (15)
Make for yourself a teacher, and acquire for yourself a friend. Avot 1:6
On the holiday of a friend, rejoice with him. Kohelet Rabbah 7
Whoever speaks with his friend, and eats and drinks with him, and speaks lashon hara about him, G-d calls him wicked. Shohar Tov Mishlei 12
A friend is only acquired through great difficulty. Yalkut Pinhas taf shin ayin vav
A person should acquire for himself a friend . . . and reveal to him all his secrets. Avot DeRabbi Natan 8 (see trans)
Forego your will for the will of your friend. Forego your will and your friend's will for the will of heaven. Derekh Eretz Zuta 1 (trans)
Hearken your ears to the words of your friend. Derekh Eretz Zuta 2
One who hates his friend, it is as though he spilled blood. Derekh Eretz Rabbah 11
Man speaks with his friend, He hears the feeling of his voice, but he does not see the light of Israel??.Yalkut Yitro Reish zadi tet
Let the honor of your friend be as precious to you as your own. Avot 2:10 (14)
It is easy to acquire an enemy, and difficult to acquire a friend - Yalkut Shimoni Va'etchanan
There is no treasure like friends - Shlomo Ibn Gavirol 11th C.
A wise person does not interrupt a friend's words; one does not reply in haste. Avot 5:7
Never weary of making friends. Asher b. Yehiel. “Hanhaga c.1320
A new friend is as a new wine. Apocrypha: Ben Sira 9.10
If you want to help pull a friend out of the mire, don't hesitate to get a little dirty. Ba'al Shem. (See Martin Buber. Tales of the Hasidim. Shocken Books, 1947-48 I, 7)
A friend will prove himself in time of trouble. M. Ibn Ezra, Shirat Yisrael, (12c) 1924, p.136
One heart in two bodies. Zabara, Sefer Shaashuim, 13C, ch. 7.
He who finds a faithful friend finds a treasure. Apocrypha: Ben Sira 6.14 (See 6.15f, 7.18)
Friendship is man's greatest gift. M. Ibn Ezra, Shirat Yisrael, (12c) 1924, p.136
Friendship is like a treasury: you cannot take from it more than you put into it. Mandelstamm, Mishlei Binyamin, 1884, 7.3.\
Hachnasat Orchim/Welcoming Guests
Let your house be open wide, and let the needy be members of your household. Avot 1:5
To eat and drink on a festival in the company of your family without providing for the poor and distressed, is not “the joy of the commandent” but the joy of your stomach. It is a disgrace. Maimonides, Yad: Yom Tob, 1180, 6.18
A man's house should be opened wide to the north, to the south, to the east, and to the west, like Job, who provided his houses with four doors. Avot de Rabbi Natan 7
The stranger did not sleep in the street. I opened my doors to the traveler. Job 31:32
My lords, if I find favor in your eyes, please don't pass your servant by. Gen. 18:3
When Rav Huna would eat a meal he would open his door and say, Whoever is in need, let that person come and eat. Taanit 20b
Inviting guests is greater than receiving the Divine Presence. Talmud Shavuot 35b , Talmud Shabbat 127a
Disgraceful is the one who eats before his guest. Derekh Eretz Zuta 8
Be happy at your table when the hungry are benefiting from it. Derekh Eretz Zuta 9
Hunger
If you offer your compassion to the hungry, and satisfy the famished creature (or “the afflicted soul”), then shall your light shine in darkness, and your gloom shall be like noonday. Isaiah 58:10
When you give food to a hungry person, give him your best and sweetest food. Hilchot Isurai Mizbayach 7:11
Where there is no bread, there is no Torah. Pirkei Avot 3:17
There is no happiness without eating and drinking. Talmud Moed Katan 9a
Do not treat food disgracefully, and do not throw food from place to place. Sofrim 3:14
He who has fed a stranger may have fed an angel. Talmud.
He who is sated with food disdains the honeycomb. But to the hungry man, every bitter thing is sweet. Book of Proverbs 27:2
Devarim 10:17-19: For Hashem your God is the God of all and the master of all, the great, mighty and awesome God, who shows no favor and takes no bribe, but upholds the cause of the orphan and the widow and befriends the stranger, providing the stranger with food and clothing. You too must befriend the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
Isaiah 58:7: Share your bread with the hungry, take the homeless into you home…If you put yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the soul for the poor, then shall your light shine in the darkness and your gloom shall be as noonday. The Holy One will guide you continually.
Pirkei Avot 3:17: Where there is no bread, there is no Torah.
Taanit 20b: When Rav Huna would eat a meal he would open his door and say, Whoever is in need, let that person come and eat.
Baba Batra 11a: A story is told of Binyamin HaTzaddik who was the supervisor of the community's tzedakah funds. Once, when food was scarce, a woman came to him and said, Rabbi, feed me! He replied I swear there is nothing in the tzedakah fund. She said, If you do not feed me, a woman and her 7 children will die. So he fed them from his own money.
Vayikra Rabbah 34:2: Rabbi Phinehas in the name of Rabbi Reuban said: whoever gives a perutah (small coin) to a poor man, the Holy One, Blessed be He will give him life. For, indeed, is he really giving only a perutah? No he gives him life! How can we explain this? If a loaf of bread costs 10 perutot and a poor man standing in the marketplace has only nine, then is someone gives him a perutah so that he is able to buy a loaf of bread and having eaten it, feels refreshed, the Holy One Blessed be He, says to the donor, `In your case too, when your soul presses to break loose from your body, I shall return it to you.
Vayikra Rabbah 34:14: “Some say that careful inquiry shoukd be in regard to beggars who ask for clothing, but no inquiries should be made in regard to foos. Others say that in regard to clothing also no inquiries should be made.”
Hilchot Isurai Mizbayach 7:11: When you give food to a hungry person, give him your best and sweetest food.
Kevod ha-Beriyot/ Human Dignity
Mishna Bikkurim 3:7: Originally all who knew how to recite would recite [the declaration at the time of bringing the first fruit to the Temple] whilst those unable to do so would repeat it; but when they refrained from bringing, it was decided that both those who could and those who could not [recite] should repeat the words.Avot 2:10: Your friend's honor should be as dear to you as your own.
Berakhot 17a: Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai was always careful to greet first anyone whom he met, even a Gentile in the marketplace.
Berakhot 28b: Be mindful of the honor of your friends.
Yevamot 62b: Rabbi Akiva had 12,000 pairs of students. All of them died in one short period between Passover and Shavuot, because they did not respectfully toward each other.
Baba Kama 86a: For it was taught: `All [sorts of injured persons] should be considered as if they were freemen who have become impoverished since they are all the children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; this is the view of R. Meir. R. Judah says that [degradation in the case of] the eminent man [will be estimated] in accordance with his eminence, [whereas in the case of] the insignificant man [it will be estimated] in accordance with his insignificance. R. Shimon says that wealthy persons will be considered merely as if they were freemen who have become impoverished, whereas the poor will all be put on the level of the least among them.
Baba Kamma 90b: All [sorts of injured persons] should be considered as if they were freemen who have become impoverished since they are all the children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; this is the view of R. Meir. R. Yehudah says that [degradation in the case of] the eminent man [will be estimated] in accordance with his eminence, [whereas in the case of] the insignificant man [it will be estimated] in accordance with his insignificance. R. Shimon says that wealthy persons will be considered merely as if they were freemen who have become impoverished, whereas the poor will all be put on the level of the least among them.
Love
Greater is the one who is acts out of love than the one who acts out of fear. Talmud Sotah 31a
The Holy One, blessed be He, loves he who is pure of heart. Genesis Rabbah 41
Love your neighbor as yourself: Rabbi Akiva says this is a great principal in the Torah. Torat Kohanim:Kedoshim
Love that has no reproof is not love. Genesis Rabbah 54:3
Love the creations and honor them. Derekh Eretz Zuta 1
In love is found the secret of divine unity. Zohar, Exodus, 216a
Neighbors
You must love your neighbor as [you love] yourself. I am G-d. Vayikra 19:18 (Love your neighbor as yourself- Rebbe Akiva said this is a great principle in the Torah Rashi on Vayikra 19:18)
Love your neighbor: A person should love the good for his fellow as he does for himself. Ibn Ezra on Vayikra 19:18
Better a close neighbor than a distant brother. Talmud Bava Metzia 108b
Woe to the wicked, woe to his neighbor; It is well with the righteous and well with his neighbor. Talmud Succah 56b
Go out and see, what is the proper way, to which one should cling? A good neighbor. Avot 2:9
The one who loves his neighbors, and brings his family close, about him the Torah says, “Then you will call, and G-d will answer. Talmud Yevamot 62b (also in family)
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Psalms 133.1 (also in unity)
Happy to the righteousness, and happy to his neighbors. The three tribes that were situated near Moses and Aaron became giants in Torah learning. Tanhuma Bemidbar 12
When the way is long, company is pleasant. Talmud Sukkah 52a
Keep away from a bad neighbor, and do not associate with the wicked. Avot 1:7
A society and a family are similar to a dome of rocks. If you remove one stone from it, it will collapse, if you add a stone to it, it will stand. Genesis Rabbah 100:7 O.H.
Responsibility
When the community is in trouble do not say, "I will go home and eat and drink and all will be well with me."…Rather, involve yourself in the community's distress as was demonstrated by Moses (Shmot 27:12). In this way Moses said, "Since Israel is in trouble, I will share their burden." Anyone who shares a community's distress will be rewarded and will witness the community's consolation. - Ta'anit 11a
Since Israel is in trouble I will share their burden. Exodus 27:12
All Israel is responsible one for the other. - Shavuot 39a
Whoever is occupied with community needs, it is as if he is occupied with the study of Torah. Jerusalem Talmud Berahot 5:1
Many a one prays and is not heard, because he remains heedless of the plight and needs of others. Sefer Hasidim 13c, #1023, pg. 257
If one can stop the whole world from sinning, and does not, he is held responsible for the sins of the whole world. Shabbat 54b
Why was the second Temple destroyed, even though in its time [the Jews] were occupying themselves with Torah, mitzvot and acts of loving-kindness? Because of the baseless hatred which prevailed in the community. Yoma 9b:
Whoever asks for communal needs, it is as if he comes with strength. Bemidbar Rabbah 21:14
Righteousness
He that is firm in righteousness achieves life. Mishlei 11:19:
Mishlei 21:3:
Happy are the righteous who turn the attribute of judgment into the attribute of mercy. Genesis Rabbah 73:3
Righteousness is immortal - Apocrypha: Wisdom of Solomon, 1:15
Righteousness casts out hatred. - Apocrypha: Patriarchs, Gad, 5:3
Who sows righteousness shall reap sevenfold. - Apocrypha:II Enoch. 42:11
Blessed the man who dies in righteousness and goodness. - Apocrypha: Enoch 81:4
Righteousness exalts a nation. Proverbs 14:34
The righteous is an everlasting foundation - The Tzaddik supports the world. Targum to Proverbs 10:25
All human beings endowed with the spirit of holiness are of the category of Tzaddik. Zohar Genesis 33a
Glory to the righteous. Isaiah 24:16
Who walks righteously . . . shall dwell on high. Isaiah 33:15f (look up)
The righteous deals graciously, and gives. Psalms 37:21 (look up)
I have not seen the righteous forsaken. Psalms 37:25
G-d said, “I rule man; who rules me? The righteous. For I issue a decree, and he may annul it. Talmud Moed Katan 16b. (Double check, and translation)
The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and confidence forever. Isaiah 32:17
To do what is right in the sight of man and good.
Righteousness, righteousness you shall pursue. Deuteronomy 16:20
He that is firm in righteousness achieves life. Proverbs 11:19
Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. Proverbs 16:8
The Tzaddik orders, and the Holy One does. Talmud Ta'anit 23a. (check, and trans.)
When the righteous depart, the blessing departs. Sifre #38 to Deuteronomy 11:10
Even in His wrath, the Holy One remembers the righteous. Talmud Berachot 54b
There are always thirty righteous men among the nations, by whose virtue those nations abide. Talmud Hullin 92a. (check)
The righteous is a town's luster, majesty and glory. When he departs, the luster and glory depart. Genesis Rabbah 68:6.
The doing of righteousness and justice is preferable to G-d than the sacrificial offering. Proverbs 21:3
The righteous will flourish like a date palm. Like a cedar in Lebanon he will grow tall. Planted in the house of G-d they will flourish. Psalms 92
The righteous . . . are called G-d's brothers and friends. Seder Eliyahu Rabbah Chap. 18 (Ed. Friedmann, 109 - (On Psalms 122:8?))
Righteousness looks down from heaven. Psalms 85:12
The righteous person is remembered by his own good deeds. Yoma 38b
The world is sustained by Divine grace, and the righteous by their own force. Talmud Berachot 17b.
The world rests on a single pillar—righteousness. Talmud Hagigah 12b
Open to me the gates of righteousness. I will enter them. Psalms 85:12
Open the gates, so the righteous may enter. Isaiah 24:16
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Thy throne. Psalms 98:15
Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Psalms 85:11
The path of the righteous is as the light of dawn, that shines more and more to the perfect day. Proverbs 4:18
The world abides even for the sake of one righteous man. Talmud Yoma 38b
One righteous man does not die until another, equally righteous is born. Talmud Yoma, 38b
Righteousness is not an inheritance, but one's own. Midrash Tehilim, 146:7, Numbers Rabbah, 8:2
The Holy One saw that the righteous were but few, so He planted them throughout all generations. Talmud Yoma 38b
The righteous are superior to angels. Talmud Sanhedrin 93a
Wherever the righteous go, the Shechina (presence of G-d) goes with them. Genesis Rabbah 86:6
This world would have been created even for one righteous man. Talmud Yoma, 38b
The righteous protect the city more than sand the sea. Talmud Bava Batra 7b
Saving Life
When can someone be called a `mighty person'? When that someone seizes the hand of an individual who is about to fall into a pit, or when that someone sees another who has already fallen into a pit and lifts that person out. Midrash Tehillim 52:6
Whoever saves a single life - it is as though he has saved the entire world. Mishna Sanhedrin, end of chap. 4
Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor. Leviticus 19:16
“Just as I create worlds, and bring the dead back to life, you are also capable of doing the same.” Midrash Psalms 116:8
You shall, therefore, keep My statutes and My ordinances, which if a man do he shall live by them Vayikra 18:5
You shall live by them, and not die by them. Yoma 85b
Whoever destroys one life, it is considered by the Torah as if he destroyed an entire world, and whoever saves one life, it is considered by the Torah as if he saved an entire world. Mishna Sanhedrin 4:5
One who causes the loss of even one life, it is as if that person caused the loss of an entire world, and one who saves one life, it is as if that person saved an entire world. Sanhedrin 37a
Tefilla/Prayer
But the prayer of the upright is his delight. Proverbs 15:8
And Moses cried to G-d, saying, “Please G-d, heal her now.” Numbers 12:13
Prayers truly from the heart open all doors of heaven. Nachman of Bratslav
The prayer of a sick person who prays for himself is better than anything else. Bereishit Rabbah 53
May it be thy will to give everyone his need. Tosefta Berachot, 3.11
It is a good thing to give thanks to G-d, and to sing praise to Your name, O Exalted One. Psalms 92:1
The prayers of the poor are heard by G-d above all others. Zohar
It is the gates of the poor and the oppressed that reach the highest heavens (Immanuel of Rome?)
Let your prayer be a window to heaven. Baal Shem. Q. Simeon Zeeb, Derash Tob 55, 97
Prayer is the service of the heart. Talmud Ta'anit 2a
Even when the gates of Heaven are closed to prayer, they are open to tears. Talmud Berachot 32a
He who prays for his neighbor will be heard for himself. Talmud Bava Kamma 92b
Call upon me in the day of trouble Bible; Psalms 50.15
Every day I will bless Thee Psalms 145.2
The gates of prayer are never closed. Deut. Rabbah 212
The righteous pray for the world. Aha, Simon. Tanhuma Vayera #9, ed. Buber
Include in your prayer for the sick, all the sick. Hanina b. Hama, Jose b. Hallafta Talmud Shabbat 12b.
An angel collects all the prayers offered in the synagogues, weaves them into garlands, and puts them on G-d's head. Meir. Exodus Rabbah, 21.4. Zohar Genesis, 167b, names Sandalphon.
Include friend and foe in your petitions, for how can one ask G-d for blessings which he does not want others to have? Orhot Tzaddikim, 15c, ch. 9
He is a sinner who refuses to pay for his fellow. Rab. Talmud Berachot, 12b
G-d longs for the prayer of the righteous. Talmud Yevamot 64a
By prayer, we lift ourselves to a world of perfection. Kook, Olat R'iya, 1923 Intro. Pg. 13
Let others rely on their hands. Israel's weapon is prayer! Yalkut to Genesis 27.22
In my distress, I called upon the L-rd. Shmuel Bet, 22.7 (II Samuel)
Out of the depths have I called Thee, O L-rd. Psalms 130.1
Prayer is acceptable only if the soul is offered with it. Talmud Ta'anit 8a
Teshuva/Good Deeds
Repentance and good deeds are a shield against punishment. Avot 4:11 (13) (See Good deeds)
Man's advocates are repentance and good deeds. Talmud Shabbat 32a
Happy is he who performs a good deed, that may tip the scale for him and the world. Talmud Kiddushin 40b
Everyone can raise himself, but only by his own actions. Nahman Bratslav (quoted in Leaders of Hasidism (S.A. Horodetzky. London, 1928.
Judge everyone favorably. Avot 1:6
Rabbi Yishmael, his son, said: One who refrains from passing judgment rids oneself of enmity, robbery, and vain oaths. Avot 4:7
Hear the causes between your siblings, and judge righteously between man and his brother (people), and the stranger that is with him (them). Deuteronomy 1:16
In righteousness shall you judge your neighbor. Lev. 19:15
Hillel said, “Do not separate yourself from the community . . . (Do not judge your fellow human being until you have reached that person's place.) Avot 2:5
Do not judge your friend until you have been (are) in his place. Avot 2:4 (5)
Do not look at the jar, but at what is in it. Avot 4:20 (27)
same as 116) What does G-d desire of you? Only do justice and love kindness. Micah 6:8
Man, you have been told what is good and what G-d requires from you; do justice; love kindness, and walk humbly with your G-d. Micah 6:8
The world stands on three things: justice, truth, and peace Avot 1:18
Tzedakah/Charity
Im amar liten tzedaka, v'natan, notnim lo schar amira uschar ma'aseh. Tosefta Peah 4 - If someone said he will give charity, and he gives it, he has reward for speech and reward for action. Tosefta Peah 4
What you give to charity in health is gold; in sickness, silver, and after death, copper. Tosafot of the Pentateuch,13C.
The one who shuts his eyes against charity is like one who worships idols. Talmud Ketubot.
Charity and loving-kindness intercede greatly and promote peace between Israel and their Father in Heaven. Tosefta: Peah, 4:21
If a person closes his eyes to avoid giving [any] charity, it is as if he committed idolatry. Ketuvot 68a
Even a poor man who himself survives on charity should give charity. Gittin 7b
If a person says, “I am giving this coin to charity so that my child will live,” or “so that I will make it into the next world,” he is regarded as completely righteous [his self-centered motives notwithstanding]. Pesachim 8a-b
He loves charity and justice; the earth is filled with the loving kindness of the Lord. Tehillim 33:5
Whoever does tzedaka and justice, it is as if he filled the whole world with kindness. Talmud Succah 49b
G-d made rich people and poor people, so that they should bring each other merit. Vayikra Rabbah 34:5
Charity is equal in importance to all other commandments combined. Baba Bathra 9a
Rabbi Yitzchak said, “Whoever gives even a small coin to a poor man receives six blessings, but whoever speaks reassuringly to him receives eleven blessings. Baba Batra 9b
There are eight rungs in charity. The highest is when you help a man to help himself. Maimonides, Mishne Torah 10:7
Whoever reassures the poor will receive seven blessings. Talmud Bava Basra 10a
Repentance, prayer, and charity remove the evil decree. Rosh Hashana Prayer Service (also Midrash Rabbah Bereshit 41:15)
Share your bread with the hungry and bring the poor that are cast out into your home; When you see the naked clothe them: Isaiah 58:7
One who gives charity in secret in greater than Moses. Bava Batra 9a
Go in the ways of G-d. Just as He clothes the naked—as it is written, “And G-d made Man and Woman garments of skin, and clothed them,[Genesis 3:21]”—so too shall you clothe the naked. Talmud Sotah 14a
If a person gives even a pruta (the least valuable coin) to the poor, merits and receives the presence of G-d. Talmud Bava Batra 10a
Charity saves from death. Proverbs 10:2
You shall maintain him, whether stranger or sojourner. He shall live beside you. Lev. 25:35
If there be among you a needy person, one of your brethren . . . you must you shall not harden your heart, nor shut your hand from your poor brother. But you shall open your hand wide to him. Deut. 15:7-8
And your heart shall not be grieved when you give him. Deuteronomy 15:10
Israel will not be redeemed except through the practice of tzedaka for it is written, Zion will redeemed in justice, and her returnees with tzedaka.
And when your brother will become poor and you will extend your hand to him. Lev. 25:35
You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor, and to your needy, in your land. Deut.15:11
And when you reap the harvest in your land, you shall not reap the corners of your field, neither shall you gather the gleaning of your harvest. And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather the single grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and the stranger. Lev. 19: 9-10
When you reap your harvest in your field, and you forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow; that the L-rd your G-d will bless you in all the work of your hands. Deut.24:19-24
And if your brother grows poor, and his means fail with you, then you shall relieve him; though he be a stranger or a sojourner; that he may live with you. Lev. 25:35-36
Tzedaka equal to all other commandments combined. Talmud Bava Batra 9b
The more charity, the more peace. Avot 2:7
He who gives (charity) and wants others to give is pious. Avot 5:13
He who is kind to the poor, happy is he. Proverbs 14:21
It is good for people to have minimal possessions, and use them for tzedakah. Pesiktra Zutrata, (reish) Shoftim
He who gives graciously to the poor makes a loan to G-d. Proverbs 19:17
One who mocks the poor insults his maker. Proverbs 17;5
Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he shall also cry himself, but shall not be heard. Proverbs 21:13
The rich and poor meet together; G-d is the maker of them all. Proverbs 22:2
Tzedaka saves from death./ Righteousness delivers from death. Proverbs 10:2
If all the sufferings and pain in the world were gathered [on one side of a scale] and poverty was on the other side, poverty would outweigh them all. Exodus Rabbah 31:12 and 31:14.
When you reap your harvest in your field, and you forget a sheaf in the field, you shall Lord your God will bless you in all the work of your hands. Devarim 24:19-20
Share your bread with the hungry and take the poor into your home; when you see the naked clothe them. Isaiah 58:7
Jerusalem is only redeemed through tzedaka. Talmud Shabbat 139a
All the charity and deeds of kindness that the children of Israel perform in this world promote peace and good understanding between them and G-d. Talmud, Bava Batra 10a
Charity and good deeds are equal to all the mitzvoth of the Torah, because tzedaka is done for the poor, and acts of kindness, are done for the poor and the rich; tzedakah is done for the living, and acts of kindness are done for the living and the dead; tzedakah is done with one's money, and acts of kindness can be done with one's money and one's body. Jerusalem Talmud Peah 1:1
Charity and acts of kindness are equal to the whole Torah. Yalkut Tehillim taf, taf, nun, tet
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