The Charity of Doctors Printed with permission from "The Chesed Boomerang" by Jack Doueck www.judaicapress.com The Talmud (Ta-anit 21b) explains why Abba the surgeon’s prayers were accepted immediately. He had a private room with a coinbox. After he treated his patients, they could go in and pay whatever they could afford without being embarrassed. Essentially, Abba treated people for free and didn’t let them feel any shame. This was his charity. The Talmud saw his chesed, his charity, as the reason for his prayers being answered. Return to 'Our Tradition' Menu