<html><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><p align=""><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Century" size="5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; ">The Torah states, “The men came with the women; everyone whose heart motivated (n’div leiv) him brought bracelets…” Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh explains that there is a difference between “n’div leiv -- motivated heart” which is a noun and “asher yidvenu leibo — to give from the generosity of heart,” which is a verb. “N’div leiv” is the essence of the person. One who is classified as “n’div leiv” is innately one with a generous heart. On the other hand, the one who is classified as “yidvenu leibo” is the one who performs an act of situational generosity. Had it not presented itself, it would not have happened. It does not genuinely reflect on the essence of the person. He simply was motivated at that moment to act generously. A perfect example of this is when one gives to a charity only when solicited. That is “yidvenu leibo”. </span></font></p><p align=""><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Century" size="5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; ">Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh continues that the one who is “n’div leiv” gives without consideration for his own needs or taking into account his own limitations. It is the equivalent of one who is classified by the Torah as “nisaoh leibo – inspired heart.” The inspiration of this individual is so consuming that his focus is solely on the cause – ignoring his own needs.</span></font></p><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Century" size="5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; ">The Gemara in Tractate Chagigah cites a verse which states, “How beautiful are your steps, the daughter of the benefactor (bas nadiv).” The Jews are referred to as the “bas nadiv” because they are the descendents of Abraham, who selflessly gave his heart to God (n’div leiv). Abraham gave of himself without limitation. When one truly loves something, all that exists at that moment is the object of his love. Nothing else exists at that moment to interfere with his objective. All that mattered to Abraham was to fulfill the will of God. As a result of his selfless behavior, Abraham was referred to by God as “My beloved.” His essence was “n’div leiv.”</span></font></div><p align=""><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Century" size="5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; ">The Gemara tells us that mercy, shame/conscience, and acts of kindness are characteristics that are inherent in the Jewish people. This is because they descend from Avraham who possessed these characteristics. The Jewish people are referred to as the “daughter of the benefactor - bas n’div” (Abraham our Patriarch) because every Jew inherently has the potential to give of himself selflessly as Abraham had done. Will we use it?</span></font></p><p align=""><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Century" size="5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; ">ri</span></font></p></body></html>