Recently, I had a difficulty understanding a passage in a certain sefer [when Hashem was giving out brainpower - I stayed on the leitzanus line getting doubles]. So I sent the passage in an email to various rabbis and asked for their explanation. One rabbi - ignored my email [or maybe he didn't see it. I can't know]. Another - wrote back that he doesn't know how to type. I found that odd given that a] typing is not complicated and requires no special skills other than basic motorial abilities and knowledge of the language. And b] this rabbi has written literally dozens of sfarim. So even if someone else typed them up for him - he could have asked someone to type me a response. But I should be דן לכף זכות!! Another person wrote me a short sentence of explanation. Another two wrote me lengthy replies. My favorite was the person who apologized for the brief reply but actually wrote me something very insightful and not particularly brief.
Mussar Haskel: Chesed is measured not only in the big things - like ending world hunger or find a cure for cancer. Chesed is in the small things - like someone asked you a question in an email. Do you care enough to dignify them with a proper response even if you don't know the person. We have countless opportunities daily to perform "small" chasodim.
I can happily report that three of the people I asked did just that!!
