The Torah Hitch

One morning as we were driving past 13th Ave and 48th Street in Boro Park, a Yid stopped us and asked for a hitch. We invited him into our car and asked him where he was going. He said 18th Avenue. That was one block out of our way, since we lived on 17th Avenue and 51st Street. Having to go to 18th Avenue would also mean getting tied up in traffic. As the car approached 17th Avenue, I  turned my blinker on, in preparation to make a right turn and to drop our passenger off on the corner. At that moment my father said, don’t turn. Go straight to 18th Ave and take the Yid to his final destination. He explained afterwards, that there are two types of Chesed. There is common Chesed which we regularly do and then there is Torah Chesed. Common Chesed is when you do someone a favor that does not inconvenience you. For instance, giving someone a hitch, when you are headed in the same direction they are. Not doing that kind of Chesed  would be sinful, since you are going there anyways. Torah Chesed takes on a whole new dimension. It is going out of your way to do someone a favor, even if it not convenient.  That shows you really care. It is not just about what you do, but more importantly, how you do it. It is not just about giving charity but how you give the charity. It is not just about helping someone but rather the demeanor in which you provide the help. How you smile while you are helping. It is going the extra mile that matters most. That was the precious lesson my father of blessed memory taught me that everlasting morning. Get out of your comfort zone and do the Chesed with all your hearth and soul.