Mishnah Pe'ah 1:1 - Kindness is without measure

מסכת פיאה פרק א

א,א אלו דברים שאין להם שיעור--הפיאה, והביכורים, והריאיון, וגמילות חסדים, ותלמוד תורה. ואלו דברים שאדם אוכל מפירותיהן בעולם הזה, והקרן קיימת לו לעולם הבא--כיבוד אב ואם, וגמילות חסדים, והבאת שלום בין אדם לחברו; ותלמוד תורה כנגד כולם.

Mishnah Pe'ah 1:1

These are the things that are without measure: charity, first fruits, pilgrimage to the temple, righteous deeds, and studying Torah. These are things that a man can eat of their fruits in this world, but their true fulfillment is in the world to come: honoring one's parents, righteous deeds, bringing peace between a man and his friend. Studying Torah is equal to them all.

This mishnah strikes me as a study guide: these are the things you should get out of studying Torah. If you study Torah and it doesn't make you into the kind of person who gives charity, does righteous deeds, and makes peace between a man and his friend, you're doing it wrong.

There are actually measures for many of these things in the Torah, but what the Mishnah is telling us is that you can do them as much as you would like and they are always a good thing. Interestingly, all of these things are done in relationship with others except studying Torah (which is usually done in hevruta, but not always). It shows how concerned Jews should be with their community and those around them who are in need.

Unfortunately, it's a lesson that many in this country, religious and secular, need to learn: that there is no limit to being kind to people.