The Kindness We May Have Forgotten
Stories of Chesed on 9/11
When you think about 9/11, your mind probably goes back to where you were that day. I was a young child, living overseas with my family in Japan. My dad was working in the automotive industry, and we lived in Yokohama for a few years. That morning, my sister and I came downstairs to find my parents frozen in front of the TV, tears in their eyes and shock on their faces. Something terrible had happened – but what? We were full of questions.
My mom quietly told us not to wear any patriotic clothing – not even a U.S. flag on our shirts – and to avoid mentioning that we were American. Was this an isolated terrorist attack, or were Americans being targeted all over the world? At that moment, no one knew.
The horrors of that day are difficult to forget.
“Nearly 3,000 people perished: around 2,750 in New York, 184 at the Pentagon, and 40 in Pennsylvania. All 19 terrorists also died. Among the victims in New York were more than 400 police officers and firefighters who rushed to the towers, risking – and ultimately giving – their lives.”[1]
And yet, in the thick of tragedy, we also saw something else – something easily overlooked: kindness. Sometimes darkness helps us to see the brightest lights. Ordinary people became heroes. Strangers helped strangers. Compassion had the final word.
Let me share just a few of their stories:
Moira Smith – She was a police officer near the towers when the first plane struck. She quickly began helping civilians evacuate and returned again and again to bring more people out. She died when the tower collapsed around her – but many remember her steady, reassuring presence that helped them survive.[2]
John Perry – Just hours from retirement, John had come downtown to file his final paperwork. He was planning to pursue becoming a medical malpractice lawyer. When the first plane hit, he rushed to help evacuate people from the South Tower. He died while helping a woman escape the building.[3]
Danny Lewin – He was an Israeli American aboard one of the hijacked planes. Danny was a former member of the IDF’s elite Sayeret Matkal unit and fluent in Arabic. When he realized what was happening, he tried to stop the hijackers. He was stabbed to death before the plane crashed.[4]
These and many others willingly and sacrificially gave their lives for others. Their actions embody a powerful Hebrew word: chesed (חֶסֶד). It’s often translated as “kindness,” but that hardly does it justice. Chesed is selfless love in action – a choice to put others first, even at great cost. In Jewish thought, it’s one of the highest virtues, a mitzvah (religious duty or commandment) that reflects God’s character.[5]
This truly challenges me. How often do I truly embody chesed in my daily life? It’s so easy to be consumed with our own needs – “I have to do this”; “My schedule is full”; “I need a break.” But what if we paused to ask:
Who can I bless today?
Whose burden can I lift?
How can I be light in someone else’s dark moment?
Nine Eleven (9/11) showed us that even in the midst of unthinkable evil, goodness is still possible. It reminded us that God’s image in humanity still shines. That day, people didn’t stop to ask political questions or religious affiliations they just acted out of love. That’s chesed. That’s what we’re called to.
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)
Let us not only remember the tragedy – we must also remember the kindness. And let it encourage us to move and act in love.
Written by Hannah, LIFE staff member
Where were you on 9/11? What emotions were stirred as you watched the horrific tragedies unfold?
Is there someone in need of your chesed today? How will you respond to the Lord’s prompting to demonstrate His chesed to them?
Perhaps you need to feel God’s chesed towards you today. You might consider a word study in the Bible to learn about His loving kindness. (E.g, see Strong’s Concordance entry 2617.)
Endnotes:
[1] https://www.britannica.com/event/September-11-attacks/The-attacks.
[2] https://kustomsignals.com/blog/remembering-our-heroes-the-20th-anniversary-of-9-11.
[3] https://kustomsignals.com/blog/remembering-our-heroes-the-20th-anniversary-of-9-11.
[4] https://www.firerescue1.com/9-11/articles/13-heroes-to-remember-13-years-later-53kVvEgJI8M0fOvN/.
[5] https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/258311?lang=bi