Pnina Souid
One day, the Mitzvah Man organization received a unique request. The caller, Mrs. H, explained:
“Baruch Hashem, we are a wealthy family living in a luxurious home. Everything our family could possibly need is at our fingertips. Financially we are on top of the world. However, our 14-year-old son, Joey, just takes it all for granted. He is becoming extremely spoiled and doesn’t seem to be appreciative of what he has. We want to instill inhim a sense of values and a sense of appreciation.
“I have an idea, but it might not work. We know that the Mitzvah Man organization sends volunteers to deliver food packages to the needy and elderly. Might you be able to send a volunteer to pick up my son so that he could help him with the deliveries?”
The Mitzvah Man replied, “It would be our pleasure.”
The Experiment
The following Thursday afternoon, a volunteer named Avi arrived at Mrs. H’s home to pick Joey up. Their first stop was to pick up the boxes to be delivered.
Avi explained, “These food packages are goingto people who are ill, elderly, or in financial trouble. They have no family members to provide for them. Today, we are making six deliveries. Thank you for helping with this act of kindness.”
That day, the temperature hit 95 degrees and it was extremely humid. It was not a day you would find many people happily schlepping heavy boxes.
After Avi and Joey loaded the van, they headed to an apartment building where there were two families receiving food boxes. As Avi got out of the van Joey asked him if he should wait for him.
“No, I want you to feel the mitzvah,” Avi responded.
Joey had never seen such a rundown building. He had never been exposed to abject poverty in his life.
Joey told Avi that he was not going to liftthe boxes. But Avi responded that he needed his help.
“I will take one box and you will take one box.”
Joey looked up at the tenth floor and asked, “Why are the windows open? Don’t they have A/C?”
Avi said, “They can’t afford it. Not everyone can.”
Joey noticed all the flies in the building and hesitated. Avi was right there with him.
“We have no choice. This is poverty and this is how these people live their lives 24/7. Let’s go. These families are waiting for their food delivery. You go to apartment 10L, and I will go to apartment 8B. You go first.”
“How do I open the lobby door?”
“You put the box down, press the button to open the door, pick the box back up, and push the door open. Then, when you get to the apartment, knock on the door and leave the box there. Don’t wait for them to open the door. We don’t want to embarrass the family.”
Joey looked around. He took in the reality of what it must feel like to actually live in such a dilapidated building. His expression was at first questioning, then thoughtful.
By the time Avi and Joey finished all the deliveries they were both covered in sweat. Avi reported back to the Mitzvah Man that their mission was accomplished. He assumed that Joey would not be back.
The Happy Ending
Mrs. H called the Mitzvah Man. “What did you do to my son? He loved it!”
“Excuse me, but what do you mean?” the Mitzvah Man asked.
“He wants to go again!”
Avi picked up Joey the following week. It was just as hot and humid as the previous week. Joey did his share of the deliveries with a smile. He continued to join Avi for another five weeks until school started.
His mother called the Mitzvah Man thrilled. “I think that this hesed has really made a difference. Joey is showing more appreciation for everything. I am incredibly grateful for the hesed that you did for our family.”
Eight years later, Avi sawhis old delivery buddy Joey, now with his own car,which was loaded full of food boxes!
Joey toldAvi, “I have my own car and I decided to dedicate myself to making food deliveries. The people need the food, and I am going to get it to them no matter what.” Train your children early in life to give to others. They deserve your investment in making them ba’alei hesed. Doing hesed is best learned young. Lead by example and b’ezrat Hashem you will see the results.