Creating the Field of Jewish Service Learning

This article addresses defining service in Jewish terms. The connection of 'gemilut chasadim,' or acts of loving kindness, to the core pillars of human behavior is established in the Torah. A person who has received love and aid is far more likely to be able to pass on chesed, or kindness, to another person. In the Talmudic tradition the reward for service is in this world, not in the world to come; therefore service can and should be valuable in some way to the person engaged in it. This is differentiated from other traditions which view service as a selfless contribution. Involvement with others in Jewish service-learning becomes a springboard for expanding knowledge, theological exploration, and/or social justice activism, as well as community-building for participants. (JB)