They asked the Baal Shem Tov, “The Talmud tells us that for everything G d forbade, He provided us something permissible of the same sort. If so, what did He permit that corresponds to the sin of heresy?” The Baal Shem Tov replied, “Acts of kindness.” Because when you see a person suffering, you don’t say, “G d runs the universe. G d will take care. G d knows what is best.” You do everything in your power to relieve that suffering as though there is no G d. You become a heretic in G d’s name.
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (Jas 2:14-18)
28 And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.” 29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Yeshua, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Then Yeshua answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 “Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 “Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. 33 “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 “So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 “On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ 36 “So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” 37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Yeshua said to him, “Go and do likewise.” (Lu 10:28-37 )
And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. (Re 19:8 )
I often ask myself, “How can I do more for those who are in need?” I sometimes pray and ask Avinu to give me more opportunities to help others. When it is my turn, I also would like to be able to say,
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which Avinu, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. (2Ti 4:6-8)
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