יום ב Date: 6 Elul, 5774 (9/1/14) – MoedKatan#21 {Eliezer}

Missing the Boat

[21b middle] R’ Meir: It is extremely important not to upset someone [like by offering condolences after a mourning period has ended]. But, we should look deeper into what motivated us in the first place.
R’ Tatz: If we go to visit a hospital and the sick person has already gotten better and was released, what should be our response? Do we think in our heads, “What Chutzpah! I came all this way and he/she isn’t even here for me to greet them?!” Or do we recognize that we are supposed to be helping another person in need and not trying to fulfill a Mitzvah for selfish reasons.

E’s Lesson: We must always understand the motivations for our actions. We should have other people’s interests in mind when approaching them. Just because we may have missed a shiva call or a funeral, it is not just about making ourselves feel better by offering condolences. Every time we do a Chessed (like visiting someone in a hospital) we should remember to act with kindness and consideration.