חסד, the fourth of the ספירות and the first of the מידות. The first two letters of חסד—ח and ד—are interpreted to mean: "He pities he who has not."
- The letter ח alludes to "he pities."
- The letter ד, when spelled out in Aramaic, means "one who has nothing."
This illustrates that חסד dispenses kindness to someone who is utterly destitute, without any limit or measure to the giving.[1]
Definitions[edit]
חסד is the fourth of the ten ספירות and the first of the seven מידות.
This ספירה represents flowing energy, giving, and the essential desire to bestow.[2] It embodies the disposition to give goodness and kindness purely for the sake of giving, regardless of the worthiness of the recipient.[3]
More broadly, חסד expresses expansion, outward movement, and growth.[4] For this reason, חסד is also referred to as גדולה ("greatness")[5]—stemming from the greatness of הקדוש ברוך הוא:
"Great is G-d…and His greatness is unsearchable."[6]
חסד and Creation[edit]
הקדוש ברוך הוא brings forth life and existence יש מאין, for "It is the nature of the benevolent to do good."[7]
The creation and continual sustaining of the world is a manifestation of the infinite חסד that is intrinsic to the Essence of Hashem.[8]
References[edit]
- ↑ Tanya, Iggeres HaKodesh, Letter 10
- ↑ Steinsaltz, The Thirteen Petalled Rose (2006), ch. 13, p. 175f.
- ↑ Mystical Concepts in Chassidism, ch. 3, sec. 5, p. 80f.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Tanya, Shaar HaYichud V'HaEmunah, Ch. 4
- ↑ Tehillim 145:3
- ↑ R. Zvi Hirsch Ashkenazi, Chacham Zvi (Responsa), sec. 18; R. Yosef Irgas, Shomer Emunim 2:14, quoting Kabbalistic sources.
- ↑ Mystical Concepts in Chassidism, ch. 3, sec. 5