Another great aspect of the trait of chessed-kindness is that through chessed the person contributes to the Redemption of the Jewish People. As our Sages put it, “The Holy One said: Whoever engages in Torah, acts of kindness, and prays with the community—I consider him as though he has redeemed Me and My children from among the Nations.”
This mitzvah of doing acts of kindness is even greater than bringing offerings in the Holy Temple, as it is written, For I desire kindness, not sacrifice (Hoshea 6:6). Our Sages explain that the Holy One was saying that He cherishes the acts of kindness that people do with each other more than all the sacrifices the King Shlomo offered, which was a thousand burn-offerings each day! Our Sages further said that these mitzvos—charity and acts of kindness—are equal to all the mitzvos of the Torah.
