True Loving-Kindness

In the portion for the seventh day of Unleavened Bread we read about how Moses brought the bones of Joseph up from Egypt, according to Joseph’s request (Ex. 13:19). That reminded me of another deathbed request, when Jacob said to Joseph, “Please act graciously to me, place your hand under my thigh as an oath of your true loving-kindness. Please do not bury me in Egypt.” (Gen. 47:29b)

Genesis Rabbah 96:5 explains that loving-kindness, an idea that has to do with faithfulness to a covenant, done to the dead is “true” loving-kindness. This is because there is no chance to be rewarded for it. The dead person cannot enforce the covenant, or pay the living. The only thing that keeps the living from completely ignoring the request of the dead is their loving-kindness.

The sages do make caring for the dead a commandment, but do not expand “true loving-kindness” beyond that. The only broad principle is that it is good to do acts of true loving-kindness, as stated in Mishnah, Pirkei Avot 1:3:

Antigonus, leader of Socho, received the tradition from Shimon the Righteous. He used to say; Be not like servants who serve their master for the sake of receiving a reward; instead be like servants who serve their master not for the sake of receiving a reward. And let the awe of Heaven be upon you.

 But Yeshua expands this idea.

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:32-36 (NRSV)

The Messiah actually expects acts of true loving-kindness from his disciples. He requires this of his disciples because by acting mercifully, we imitate our Father. When we imitate our Father we draw close to him. Our reward is this closeness to God, becoming sons of the Most High.

True loving-kindness is the truest imitation of God. When God created us, gave us all of the good things of the world, sent our Messiah to save us, and anything else he has done for us from the smallest things to the biggest, there is nothing that he can get out of it. So it is our greatest privilege to do the same thing for our fellow man, showing the love of God and drawing close to him. As the Alter Rebbe explains in the Tanaya, “He does not truly love the King who looks to him for some favor.”