In one of the many messages that fill my email inbox daily — messages offering ideas, suggestions, advice, opinions, objections and complaints  — one of our members told me in one of the more helpful daily messages that he tries to perform one act of kindness every day. Now that’s a welcome idea. Just imagine what a world this would be if the more than eight billion people who inhabit our planet would, in each one’s daily life, perform a single act of kindness.

Fear not, I don’t intend to get preachy here and invoke an inner holy roller. That is not me, thank you. But I am going Biblical and intend to refer to our sacred writings, so prepare yourselves…

What is an act of kindness? Does it mean throwing yourself in front of a moving vehicle to protect a stray animal? Or giving up a kidney to a friend? Those actions certainly would be considered kindnesses, but I think my correspondent was thinking more along the lines of inviting a friend for coffee, offering to do an errand for a busy Mom, or extending praise or a compliment. On a day recently, I abandoned my usual L.L.Bean attire and opted for something perhaps a step or two up. A friend told me how nice I looked. Not that I will now forsake my cords and sweats, not hardly, but it was uplifting to know that the extra effort that morning was noticed and appreciated. I think it was the silk scarf.

But I digress. As Jews, we can look to Biblical precedents for examples of generous and altruistic acts of kindness. I do not profess to be a biblical scholar, but five years of Saturday morning Shabbat services and Rabbi Gadi’s Torah readings and discussions have left their mark. Ruth stayed with Naomi when her husband and sons had died, accompanying her to Jerusalem. Boaz instructed his workers in the field to leave grain for the needy. Abraham and Sarah famously provided food and drink to three strangers who appeared at their tent, quickly preparing a meal for them. Joseph, having been sold into slavery by his brothers, forgave them when they revealed themselves in Egypt. And in the New Testament, the Good Samaritan helped a fellow traveler who was robbed and beaten along the way. The circumstances may be extreme, but friendship, generosity, hospitality, mercy and compassion are simple acts of kindness to offer.

Why am I telling you this?

Because this is the month of March, and in most years, within the month of March —  this year on Thursday and Friday, March 13 and 14 — we will celebrate the holiday of Purim and, perhaps, the greatest of all acts of kindness. According to the Bible, Queen Esther performed a significant good deed — act of kindness — by risking her life to approach King Ahasuerus, her husband, without being summoned and, in appealing to the king’s better nature, was successful in pleading for the protection of her Jewish people from a planned massacre, essentially saving them from obliteration. Does selflessness get more significant than that?

My correspondent isn’t asking you to save the Jewish people here on the North Fork from anything shattering, although prayers for Jews struggling in settings remote from our peaceful maritime villages here might help to alleviate some of the suffering. Baruch Ha Shem. What my writer is suggesting, though, is that as fellow Jews, we take a page from our forebears, Queen Esther in particular, and apply their thoughtfulness to the prevailing human condition.

Close readers of The Shofar might recall that in the February issue of our shul’s monthly publication, I suggested we heed the message of the February calendar and spread some Valentine’s Day love. And now, for March, I’m looking to Purim and Queen Esther, mixing all of that with love, and applying the resulting amalgam to my correspondent’s suggestion to make life for those we know or happen to encounter just a little bit better with a simple act of kindness. Ideally, he dares to suggest, at least once every day.

Be honest. What’s your score for today?

— Sara Bloom