Years ago, a Jewish friend put me on to the word mitzvah. She was using it in terms of someone performing an unexpected and beautiful kindness, but the meaning goes far beyond the phrase, “perform random act of kindness,” that became popular a few years ago. I was reminded of this deeper spiritual dimension of mitzvah recently when a friend I’ll call Alec and I had tea on my deck.
Mark, thanks for your comment. Nice to know I'm so au courant. Here I need an emoji with a wink.
What you said is lovely, and I appreciate it.
I haven't heard "mitzvah" since the late 90s. It's a beautiful thing to witness, receive, and be able to offer.