Chesed

Chesed (חסד, also Romanized ẖesed) is a Hebrew word commonly translated as "loving-kindness," "kindness" or "love." Chesed is central to Jewish ethics and Jewish theology and is a common term in the Bible for describing God’s love for humankind and God’s special relationship with the Children of Israel.

Chesed is valued by religious Jews of all denominations. It is considered a virtue on its own, and also for its contribution to tikkun olam (repairing the world). It is also considered the foundation of many religious commandments practiced by traditional Jews, especially interpersonal commandments. Chesed is the basis for a wide variety of Jewish communal institutions.

Chesed is also one of the ten Sephirot on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life. It is given the association of kindness and love, and is the first of the emotive attributes of the sephirot.

"Loving-kindness" is also often used as an English translation of chesed, originating with the Coverdale Bible of 1535. Although some consider it to be a somewhat archaic translation, it remains one of the most common translations. "Love" is often used as a shorter English translation.Daniel Elazar has suggested the translation of "covenant-love." "Grace" and "compassion" are also occasionally used as translations of chesed.

Eleos (often understood as mercy or pity) is the word used by the Septuagint to translate "Chesed" into Greek. The Latin (Vulgate) translation of the Bible by Jerome used the Latin equivalent, . Chesed has also been understood as linked with the Greek word 'Agape' and its Latin equivalent, caritas (charity).

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