Day 1 – chesed within chesed
The amount of kindness that we show to others is dependent on how we view and treat ourselves. Genuine kindness is from a place of empathic consideration for the other. If we are kind to ourselves, we may be kind to others. We should act toward others the way we would show kindness to ourselves. This is encapsulated in the commandment to love your fellow as yourself.
The mercy that we show to others, especially in times of weakness, when we might otherwise respond in a harsh manner, is a way of transcending the egotistical drives that fashion us as human beings. Our instincts are usually focused more on ourselves than others. Yet, being truly human, means going beyond our comfort zone, by not giving in to our lesser inclinations and selfishness.
We must seek the welfare of others, not only ourselves. In this way, we lift up our souls to be cleansed from taint and impurity.
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