Shulpan Hessed

Shulpan Hessed
by Mollyann

Does your synagogue have a Hessed – – חסדcommittee, one which reaches out to those who are ill or in mourning. It is so named because hessed (a difficult word to translate into English. You may see it as love, kindness, or lovingkindness, or even faithful (loving of).) is one of G-d’s many attributes and it is our responsibility to try to emulate G-d’s virtues, to partner with G-d to improve the world – tikkun olam.

The siddur is replete with instances of this root h.s.d. – ח.ס.ד

The first two times we encounter it in the prayerbook are both in the expanded blessing upon donning the tallit – mah yakar hasdecha –מה יקר חסדיך – how dear is your lovingkindness and m’shoch basd’cha l’yodecha – משך חסדך ליודעיך- draw your love to those who acknowledge you.

There are many psalms in the siddur. Psalms 147 and 148 appear in the introductory service. In them we read et ham’yahalim l’hasdo – את המיחלים לחסדו – to those who hope for G-d’s kindness and t’hila l’chol hasidov תהלה לכל חסידיו- praise to those who are loving.

Psalm 145 makes up most of the thrice daily Ashrei. In it we sing v’hasid b’ma’asov – וחסיד בכל מעשיו – loving in all G-d’s actions

Psalms 92 and 98 appear in the service which welcomes Shabbat, Kabbalat Shabbat. There we find l’hagid baboker hasdecha – להגיד בבקר חסדיך – to tell of your lovingkindness in the morning and zachar hasdo ve’emenutato – זכר חסדו ואמונתו – remembered G-d’s lovingkindness and faithfulness (to the House of Israel).

Our root is present in the first two and the penultimate blessings of every Amidah. In the first, gomel hasadim tovim גומל חסדים טובים – and hasdai avot -חסדי אבות. Since the blessing names the three forefathers and we see the root h.s.d. ח.ס.ד. twice, an educated guess would propose that G-d treated our ancestors with lovingkindness! This would be correct! In the second blessing we find m’chalkel hayyim b’hesed –מכלכל חיים בחסד – sustains the living with lovingkindness. (B’-ב -is a prefix meaning in, or with.) In the Modim blessing, which is the blessing of general gratitude we find lo tamu hasadeha – לא תמו חסדיך your lovingkindness never runs out!

Before we return the Torah scroll to the ark, it is paraded around the congregation and we sing t’hilah l’chol hasidov – תהלה לכל חסידיו – (G-d’s glory) praises all of G-d’s faithful (those who love G-d).

What is the connection, you may wonder, between the root h.s.d. ח.ס.ד. and Hasidism. Hasidism was founded on the outward expression of love (lovingkindness) for God, Torah and Israel. These values emphasize personal devotion, joy, spiritual emotion, and fulfilling commandments as a love-driven connection with G-d.

Wishing you many moments of kindness – to give and to receive,

Mollyann

Shulpan is a series written to help individuals develop a closer connection with prayer through learning key vocabulary to increase understanding.

Mollyann Blumenthal is an educator living in the New England Region and she is happy to support FJMC International initiatives to enhance spiritual growth.

“Shulpan Hessed” published in the June 2026 Edition of Health & Wellness, L’chaim.