Smile and Watch the World Smile Back Printed with permission from "The Chesed Boomerang" by Jack Doueck www.judaicapress.com. "Good Morning!" The Talmud (Sotah 8b) asserts: God deals with man measure for measure. The priest's blessing in Numbers (6:25) "The Lord shall make His face shine upon you" is granted to those who "shine their faces" upon their fellow men. Greeting people properly is another act of chesed that is guaranteed to boomerang back to us. The Mishnah (Avot 1:5) advises us to "greet every man with a pleasant expression of countenance," to (Avot 3:16) "receive everyone cheerfully," and (Avot 4:20) to "take the initiative in greeting any person you meet." The Talmud (Berachot 17a) relates that no one ever greeted Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakai before he greeted them, not even a stranger in the marketplace. Rabbi Yohanan was attributed (Ketuvot 111b) with the saying: "It is better to whiten one's teeth for his friend (i.e. to greet him with a friendly countenance, with a smile that reveals the teeth), than to serve him milk." Very often, just a cheery, sincere "good morning" can brighten up the day of a person who feels dejected. When we greet people with a friendly smile, we show that we care about them and that we're happy to see them. The Talmud (Berachot 6b) goes so far as to say that if someone greets you and you fail to return the greeting it is considered sinful. Avot DeRabi Natan (13:4) states that if you give a person charity with a sad or sour expression on your face, it is as if you gave him nothing. Conversely, if you just greet your friend with a smile, even if you physically gave him nothing, it is as if you gave him all the beautiful presents, physical blessings and assistance in the world. Return to 'Our Tradition' Menu