BS"D

SURAH BATYAH & AVRAHAM AVEINU

There is a tremendous thing in this world called tzedakah (justice) and another called chesed (giving from the heart) and one of the most predominant things one can do in this world is to provide food for others. Whether you are simply bringing food over for a person who is unwell, cooking for someone whose power went out, donating to a food bank, volunteering at a kitchen that feeds the needy, or providing meals for people for holidays or the Jewish Shabbat, it's something that helps to restore someone's health and dignity.

I was thinking today of 1985 when Hurricane Gloria hit in Connecticut and took out power from homes throughout the state. We managed to get power back sooner than others did and my mom Shelby (Surah Batyah) opened our home to a woman who was dedicated to providing food to elderly people whose homes were still cold and dark - as was her own!

She helped the woman cook lots of hot foods and soups that could be easily stored in long-lasting Thermos containers. My mom also gave constantly - even out of need - and had an open-door policy in our home for feeding friends. She was always cooking, even when she was ill and in use of a wheelchair she cooked massive amounts of food for any guest that walked through our door.

With an open heart and hospitality likened to that of Avraham Aveinu (Abraham of the Torah) [who also threw his door open to guests while he himself was physically impaired] she taught me the deep importance of giving, in all circumstances, and sharing the warmth and caring of home cooked meals with true love for people.

Her extension of kindness not only made others feel good, but it gave her a sense of purpose even when she was extraordinarily disabled at various points in her life. Refuah means healing, and my mother's approach was a healing in two directions!