Ellington

I was first introduced to the concept of a mitzvah while reading Ari L. Goldman's "The Search for God" at Harvard. The term mitzvah originally referred to the 613 commandments in the Torah and the seven rabbinic commandments instituted later for a total of 620. Over time mitzvah has evolved to also mean a selfless act of kindness.

Mitzvahs come in many forms, under countless names; Karma, Random Acts of Kindness, benevolence. But really it just means, "Hey, show some love."

I have a goal to do at least 10 mitzvahs every day. I fail on a regular basis, but having that number out there I find myself constantly searching for a chance to do a good thing. I might pick up the tab for a stranger at Cracker Barrel or bury quarters in the sandbox at a playground. Have you ever seen a kid's face when they find a quarter? Amazing.

My best friend keeps a box of non-perishable food items, some blankets and a few coats in her car. She picks them up at used clothing stores and yard sales, washes them and hands them out to street people. She has been doing it for years, and I just found out by chance last month. A true mitzvah is best when anonymous.

Once you begin doing mitzvahs you will find increasing opportunities to do more. But if you need a little help getting started, here are a few of my favorites:

• Buy a dozen roses, and leave them one by one on stranger's windshields.
• Keep a bag of dry pet food and some paper bowls in your car to feed a hungry stray.
• Tuck a $20 bill in the zippered pocket of a purse for sale at a secondhand store.
• Go to a nursing home, and ask to see someone who never has visitors.

It doesn't really matter what you do. Just put your whole heart into it and take the rest of yourself out. That's the beauty of the mitzvah. The harder you try to keep it selfless, the greater your reward: the feeling of joy, peace and love that can only come from true giving.

So whether December is the month you observe Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa or the Winter Solstice Sabbat, remember: The greatest gift you have to offer is yourself.