I would like to quote from the Chafetz Chaim’s sefer Ahavat Hesed (vol 2, chapter 5): “ We are in a time that God’s justice is extremely strong in the world, and there is no way to get out of the problems that are constantly arising ( he was referring to the era between World War I and World War II), How much more so do we have to strengthen ourselves in the trait of Hesed, because through this, when we do kindness down here, we arouse God’s kindness above.” He continues to quote from the Tanna D’Vei Eliyahu, a Midrash from the great Eliyahu HaNavi (end of 23rd chapter), that says, “ When the Jews were in Egypt they held a meeting and said that they should all be together. And they made a deal, before they left Egypt, to do Hesed with one another.” The Chafetz Chaim explains that the purpose of that was in order to arouse God’s kindness above. He said that it worked- they got out! Their Hesed is what caused the decrees of Paroah to be annulled. He quotes a source that we say in Az Yashir every day (from Shemot 15,13), ‎ “ נחית בחסדך עם זו גאלת You guided this nation, the Yehudim, with kindness,” Which means in the merit of kindness, they got out. He continues and says, “ Whoever is consistent in this Middah of kindness, you will have children that are wise and successful. He quotes a Gemarah in Bava Batra to that fact. Then, the Chafetz Chaim, the Gadol HaDor of his generation and many generations to come, says, “ It’s a wonder on people that look for Segulot for children, and spend hundreds of thousands of dollars ( depending on their finances)… it’s better to do the segula that Chazal tell us- Do the trait of Sedaka, do as much as you can for the poor, and if you don’t have the money, raise money for them … be of those that fundraise for people that don’t have. It’s greater to fundraise than to give, because you’re the one that causes others to give. And he says that it must be done consistently, he has to condition his body, to be, as the pasuk says, “A chaser of Sedaka.” In that merit God will do kindness to him, and fulfill his needs. It says that many people in his time, that needed children, have done this, and they were successful. He adds that if Heaven forbid, for some reason, God doesn’t want the person to have children, at the least the Sedaka that he spent will become like his children. Like it says, “His deeds are his children.” Whereas if a person spends money on segulot that aren’t like this, then he doesn’t ending up reaping the benefit. He quotes again from Tanna D’Dvei Eliyahu, (end of chapter 26) where the pasuk in Devarim ( 28,2) says that “ All these blessings will come upon you, will catch up to you, because you listen to the voice of Hashem, your God.” The Midrash continues, “ They will come if listen to His voice, and go in His ways. What are God’s ways? That He is merciful.. even on the wicked. Eventually He accepts them in Teshuva, if they do Teshuva. God gives everyone parnasa…those are the ways of Shamayim.” The ways of Shamayim are that God is a Hanun and gives Matnat Hinam, says the Tanna Dvei Eliyahu, even to people that don’t deserve it. You too can give Matnat Hinam to people you don’t even know, and for no reason. These are the ways of Shamayim, and he says that if you act like that, you arouse God’s kindness. So there is a direct connection between acts of kindness and Yetziat Mitzrayim. It’s no wonder that there is such an abundance of kindness done at this time of the year. Because, as we say, every year there is a Yetziat Mitzrayim. We got out in Nissan, and we will get out in Nissan. The only way to do that is by doing acts of Hesed. As a reminder, if you have not yet given to Lev Chana, an organization that uses donation to purchase clothing cards, now is your chance. Anyone who wishes to participate in this special mitzvah can write a check made out to Lev Chana, and mail it to Lev Chana c/o Rabbi David Sutton 1059 E. 10th St. Brooklyn, NY, 11230. To be billed, email me directly at rabbisutton@gmail.com For Quickpay, use rabbisutton@gmail.com Or click on this link: https://www.rayze.it/levchana/