A chesed resolution

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  • September 24, 2013 4:11 am at 4:11 am #610721
    Veltz Meshugener
    Member

    I hereby move to limit the definition of chesed to situations in which the net social utility is maximized through an altruistically motivated act. Under this definition, it would not be chesed to simply bear someone else’s cost for them*.

    For example, if someone needs a package delivered to Flatbush, and I am going to Flatbush, it would maximize social utility if I would bring the package for them and thus it ought to be described as a chesed. However, if I am not going to Flatbush, and someone else who is not going to Flatbush needs a package delivered to Flatbush, it would not be a chesed for me to deliver it for him.

    Those in favor say “Aye”.

    *This is oversimplified. Redistribution of resources can also maximize social utility.

    September 24, 2013 11:13 am at 11:13 am #976061
    eclipse
    Member

    Veltz? Can you rephrase-in layman’s terms please?

    September 24, 2013 11:52 am at 11:52 am #976062
    morahmom
    Participant

    i think we need to start serving caffinated coffee around here…

    September 24, 2013 12:20 pm at 12:20 pm #976063
    Veltz Meshugener
    Member

    Yes, Eclipse, I can.

    If something becomes easier for the people involved as a group, then it’s a chesed. For example, if you have no way to get a package to Baltimore other than UPS same-day express, which would cost $200, and you have a friend who is going to Baltimore but would have to go 20 minutes out of his way, asking your friend is a good idea. You’ve gone from having to spend $200 to being able to take care of it in a 20 minute trip.

    But if something becomes harder, except that you are having your friend do it instead of you, then you should not ask and he should not do it. For example, if your neighbor says he’s going to the grocery with his toddler and would be happy to pick something up for you and save you the ten minute drive, and you say, well, I really need something from the hardware store next to the grocery, and now he will have to bring his kid into another store and wait on another line, you didn’t *save* anything, you simply made it someone else’s problem instead of yours.

    September 24, 2013 4:29 pm at 4:29 pm #976064
    ☕ DaasYochid ☕
    Participant

    You haven’t limited the definition of chessed, IMHO, you’ve only set parameters for when it’s reasonable to ask for one.

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