Chofetz Chaim: Loving Kindness, by Rabbi Fishel Schachter and Chana Nestlebaum

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Chofetz Chaim: Loving Kindness, Katz Edition
Daily Lessons in the Power of Giving
Based on the Chofetz Chaim's Ahavas Chessed
The Shiurim of Rabbi Fishel Schachter
Written by Chana Nestlebaum
Reviewed by Rabbi Moshe Mordechai Lowy
Artscroll Series - Mesorah Publications, New York: 2005
In Conjunction with The Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation
ISBN: 1-57819-746-5

Reviewed by Auggie Moore - December 31, 2008

Organized into to a handy, daily lesson format, the Katz edition of Loving Kindness is an inspirational and educational book that is ideal for students of all ages, from the young to the old. This book is based upon Rabbi Fishel Schachter's masterful Shiurim, which in turn where based upon parts two and three of Chofetz Chaim's Sefer Ahavas Chessed. The shiurim were expertly adapted for the written page by Chana Nestlebaum. As well, this book is available in both hardcover and pocket-sized editions.

Loving Kindness is a book about Chessed (kindness) and the role that it plays in our own lives, and in HaShem's divine plan for the world and our place in it. This book will teach you how to incorporated chesed into every aspect of your life, both physical and spiritual. Within the pages of this book, "The Chofetz Chaim seeks to inspire us not only to help each other, but to develop a love of helping..." (pg. 22.)

The text is organized into easily manageable, daily lessons, that continually build upon each other. These lessons will guide you toward a deeper understanding of the concept of chessed, and how to preform this mitzvah on a higher, spiritual level. In all, this book contains 178 lessons, as well as a learning schedule/calendar that will help keep your learning on track. The book concludes with a list of possible Chessed activities that will help you to get started doing more acts of chessed, to make it a habit, and combined with the main text, help you learn to do chessed for the love of it, not for the obligation.

Loving Kindness was published in conjunction with The Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation, which offers a variety of innovative learning opportunities, via a variety of methodologies. As well, in addition to Chofetz Chaim's Loving Kindness, there are several other books available based upon the Sage's works, all in a lesson a day format. For example:

Chofetz Chaim: A Daily Companion
The concepts and laws of proper speech as formulated by Sefer Chofetz Chaim.

Chofetz Chaim: A Lesson A Day
The concepts and laws of proper speech arranged for daily study.

Chofetz Chaim: A Lesson A Day II
The concepts and laws of proper speech arranged for daily study.

Chofetz Chaim: Lessons in Truth
Daily studies in honesty and fundamentals of Jewish faith.

Related Reviews:

Praying with Fire, by Rabbi Heshy Kleinman.
Igniting the Power of Your Tefillah. A 5-Minute, Lesson-A-Day program that will forever change how you pray.
Portals of Faith, by Rabbi Danon Danin.
An essential, in-depth guide to The Thirteen Principles of Faith, based on rabbinical sources from the Rishonim down to the present day.

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