Without realizing it, you’ve probably gotten a taste of what giving does for you

Activate Your Giving Power

Mrs. Chani Juravel

A number of years ago, a study was done on elderly people living alone. All of them were struggling with depression. Half of them were given medication and therapy, and the other half were given a pet (either a dog or cat). After a number of months, they found that the people with pets were doing a lot better than the others who were going to therapy and taking medication. The reason, the study concluded, was that the pet owners had opportunities to give to another. They were walking, feeding, and caring for their pets. They were responsible for another living creature. And feeling needed as a giver makes people feel a lot better about life and their role in it.

After the Dor Hamabul proved unworthy of living, Hashem started fresh with Noach and his family. Interestingly, one of Noach’s primary tasks was to be a sort of zookeeper, caring for all of the animals on the teivah. We are taught that Hashem wanted to ensure that the world would be an olam chesed, so He created a scenario for selfless giving to be Noach’s beginning. Being baalei chesed is our greatest privilege, and creating a world that revolves around chesed is Hashem’s greatest plan. Of all the strengths of our Avos, our strongest connection and merit is the magen Avraham, the shield of Avraham’s chesed.

Without realizing it, you’ve probably gotten a taste of what giving does for you. Think of the last time you felt down. You might have felt useless or wrong, sort of invisible in some ways, unimportant and unworthy. At those times, it’s hard to believe you’re all that important or needed. The world seems just fine without you. But then a friend reaches out to ask your opinion on something, or a sibling cries out for your help, or a neighbor tells you that you always know how to make her little handicapped son smile… and you feel that much more hopeful about life. It’s because you remember that you’re a giver, and that’s such a powerful, positive feeling.

When we give, Rav Dessler says, it’s a way of emulating Hashem, Who is the ultimate Giver. And whenever we connect to Him, we feel more alive, because He is the source of life. Activating your giving power is activating your truest self. Even just remembering times that you were needed and gave is enough to boost your mood. You may not think you do much for the world until you realize just how many people would be missing what you do for them and what you are for them — even if what you give them is no more than your smile.

One last benefit: We all want to have better friendships and strong relationships, to love and be loved more. The root of ahavah is hav, to give. The way to love others is by giving to them. It’s how we build better feelings and connections. And when you receive from others, you’re giving, too — you give them the chance to give to you!

Purim is a time we shifted from our lowest point to our most impressive. Giving more of ourselves can do the same, on Purim and beyond.