In today’s world, our people have been subdivided into many smaller groups for ease of communication and identification. Unfortunately, the misdeeds — or even perceived misdeeds — of one/some can elicit lashon hara or baseless hatred toward the whole group.
A great way to reverse the spiritual damage brought about by baseless condemnations is by actively blessing others or noting their good deeds.
For example, this last Tisha b’Av my son and I took turns blessing various people, mostly strangers, in the beit knesset. We considered what a person at that stage of their life might need or want and blessed them accordingly.
The recipients of our blessings didn’t hear us but G-d did and that’s all that mattered.
Using idol time waiting in line, riding on the bus, or sitting in the park is a great time to make an invisible connection with others and bless them — truly a transformative act of kindness.
Yitzhak Sasson 