The marks of a good Jew – Ask the Rabbi
Q. Is there a way to quantify the marks of a good Jew?
A. Jews are recognised, say the Talmudic sages, by three things – they are rachmanim (compassionate), bay’shanim (modest) and gom’lei chassadim (kind).
Compassion means feeling for others. Modesty means not being blatant. Kindness means being helpful and supportive.
Two of the sages (Avot D’Rabbi Natan chapter 4) were talking about life without a Temple. Rabbi Joshua said that without sacrifices there was no means of atonement. Rabbi Yochanan said that the way to atonement was g’millut chassadim, doing kindly deeds.
