חֶסֶד

חֶסֶדm. (b. h.; חָסַד I) grace, kindness, love, charity. Sifra Kdosh., Par. 4, ch. X (ref. to חסד, Lev. 20:17) שמא תאמר … ח׳ הוא if you will object, why did Cain marry his sister? (Answ.) It was an act of kindness (to secure the propagation of the race); Y.Yeb.XI, 11d top ח׳ עשיתיוכ׳ I (the Lord) dealt kindly with חוט של ח׳, v. חוּט. Succ.49b אין צדקה … לפי ח׳ שבה charity is rewarded only in proportion to the benevolence in it. Ib. תורה של ח׳ a study of love (for its own sake); a. fr.Ruth R. Par. 3, beg., v. חִסְדָּאָה.Gen. R. s. 8 ח׳ אומר Charity said Pl. חֲסָדִים acts of kindness. Succ. l. c.; a. fr.; v. גָּמַל a. גְּמִילוּת.