Review Detail

“The Midnight Mitzvah” by Ruth Horowitz, art by Jenny Meilihove, shares the story of Hanina Chipmunk. She loves giving gifts and helping others. Doing mitzvahs, otherwise known as commandments in Judaism, or good deeds, gives her a positive feeling. It is disappointing to her when Mathilda Squirrel doesn’t want Hanina’s help. She says that gathering nuts isn’t something Hanina can help with, and that she’s been doing it for far longer than Hanina has even been alive.

Hanina decides to try to help Mathilda anyway, since Mathilda has grown older and unable to gather like she used to when she was younger. So, in order to not embarrass Mathilda, Hanina brings her nuts at nighttime, when it is dark outside and she won’t be seen. While dealing with the forest at night, something Hanina hasn’t done before, she discovers that it isn’t necessarily as easy as she thought to perform her mitzvah. Yet, she finds her way, and sweetens Mathilda’s day in doing so.

The story, based on a tale from the Talmud, a sacred Jewish text, explores the themes of performing mitzvot, giving tzedakah (charity), and avoiding embarrassment. It is a story about kindness and providing help when needed.