Fair giving: giving to people in need. The word comes from the Hebrew word for justice, so the help is seen as owed.
Chesed
KHEH-sed
Loving-kindness that asks for no reward. Sitting with someone who is eating alone is chesed.
Bal Tashchit
bahl tahsh-KHEET
Do not waste. It starts with a rule in the Torah: even in a war, do not cut down trees that give fruit.
Three more words
Mitzvah
MITZ-vah · plural: mitzvot
A commandment, or a duty, in Jewish tradition. People also use it to mean a good deed. Tzedakah and chesed are each called a mitzvah.
Tikkun Olam
tee-KOON oh-LAHM
Repairing the world. Today many Jews use it to mean making the world better a little at a time.
Hachnasat Orchim
hahkh-nah-SAHT or-KHEEM
Welcoming guests. Making room for a visitor or a stranger, like showing a new student around.
Saying the words: the “kh” is the sound at the end of “Bach.” Plain “h” is fine too.
For families: Try one of these together this week. Give away a toy or a book, welcome a guest, or pick up litter at the park, and talk about how it felt. Then ask: what other tradition or culture do you know that also teaches people to help others or care for the world?
K–5 Lesson