Be a Mentsch

There is a way to live divinely by just being a mentsch.

A mentsch is someone who respects the needs and wishes of others—especially the desires of those in his care.

In the care of each of us is entrusted a divine soul. She has a terrible allergy to all those messy deeds that darken her world, and desires only those beautiful deeds that will bring in more light.

And you, being a mentsch, could you stand in her way?

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Waking Up G-d

The Promise Inside

By Tzvi Freeman

From the wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory; words and condensation by Rabbi Tzvi Freeman. Subscribe and get your dose daily. To order Rabbi Freeman’s latest book, Wisdom to Heal the Earth, click here.

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12 Comments

Yehuda USA December 4, 2023

Who is “she” and “her” in that description of a mentsch? Reply

Tzvi Freeman December 6, 2023

in response to Yehuda :

The neshamah is a she. Reply

Yehuda USA December 6, 2023

in response to Tzvi Freeman:

Just b/c the word in Hebrew has a feminine base doesnt mean we give it human feminine meaning. I searched and no one does that but you.

The neshama is not the shekinah.

HaShem breathed the neshama into man.

Are you promoting gender identity theory here, saying HaShem breathes as a woman? Reply

Tzvi Freeman December 7, 2023

in response to Yehuda :

One thing for sure, the neshamah is not an “it.”

In Hebrew, everything is either he or she. The pronoun used for the neshamah is “she.” Indeed, the neshamah is sometimes referred to as “bat Tzion”—a daughter.

What do you propose we use in English? Reply

Margo Roanoke September 11, 2017

Right on time. I'm enjoying morning coffee and reading emails. I felt this one was meant for me to see today. I'm a grad student in Public Health because I have big dreams for my community. I'm also private duty caregiver several
days a week and home health agency caregiver nearly every night of the week. I do this to make aliving, but primarily, I do it because I want to help. Reading your words at the start of this day reminded me to take time for self care. Moments like this are a chance to recharge spiritually as well as emotionally and physically. Also, thank you for the reminder that the word 'mentsch' is a positive thing. Reply

farah sajid pakistan December 28, 2015

Meaning Shalom, Rabbi,
Please guide me what does really mean word mentsch ? Reply

Ken Blumbertg Stratford, CT December 27, 2015

Long ago and far away, I remember having a conversation with my mother concerning what I wanted to be when I grew up. Confused and non committal, I said to her "all I want to be is a mentsch". She smiled at me and said: "haven't you figured it out yet, you are one". Changed my whole life. Reply

Yochanah May 14, 2014

What does the word mentsch mean? Reply

Jonathan Jonathan, South Africa August 19, 2008

BEING A MENTSCH.......... I try, daily, to be a mentsch - and sometimes succeed. But at other times I fail. This "bugs"me. Yes, nobody is perfect, but I would like my mentschkeit to be more consistant.
The question is "How???"
Lastly, Bev (Cape Town): my feelings go out to you - but I have realised that, unfortunately, one can only do so much - we cannot "save the world" - as much as we would like to. There are reasons for the things that you mention - only G-d knows what they are - but one day they may become apparent to you. All you can do is the best that you can. Reply

kia sipp summerville, sc August 18, 2008

THE MENTSCH G-d is omnscient. A caregiver always keeps the individual at mind, meaning respecting the individual by giving enough leeway. I think the key word here is individual tolerance maybe leeway changes the action word. Reply

Bev Cape Town, South Africa August 17, 2008

Being a Mentsch.......oy! I aspire to be a Mentsch on a daily basis, and at times I have done brilliantly. I believe that there is good in everybody. I believe in doing to others as I would have done to me. Question is this; How do I overcome the sadness that I feel so often when the nastiness comes out in those around me. I cannot get them to change their thought pattern. Live and let live. It hurts me so much when they make derogatory remarks about others. So much critisism and unkindness. It almost destroys me. What must I do to become stronger and to not bet hurt so badly. Reply

slj Oklahoms September 10, 2017

in response to Bev:

Bev - Always keep in mind: Hurting people hurt other people. You sound like a beautiful person. Keep being a Mentsch! Sometimes you won't ever know how your kindness has affected someone in a lasting and positive way. Shalom. Reply

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