The Midnight Mitzvah
Ages 3-7
Illustrated by Jenny Meilihove
Barefoot Books (2024)
Available in hardcover, paperback and e-book
The forest was strange at night, with shifting shadows and rustling somethings. Hanina trembled to think what the night creatures might do if they caught her breaking the rules.
In this retelling of a 2000-year-old Jewish story, Hanina Chipmunk knows it’s a mitzvah to help others . . . but what if her hungry friend is embarrassed to accept help? Hanina tries to do her good deed in secret, under the cover of darkness. But she will need her wits and bravery to complete her errand. Endnotes unpack the original tale and the Jewish value of helping those in need (tzedakah).
Reviews
“This sweet, simply told story is based on a tale from the Talmud, one of Judaism’s central texts. It will resonate with children who are generally altruistic by nature” —Kirkus Reviews
“Horowitz’s gentle story (based on an ancient Talmudic tale) explains the concept of a mitzvah (doing a good deed for someone) and the importance of doing it secretly so that the recipient is not embarrassed” —Booklist
“The sweet message and beautiful illustrations make this a great picture book for children of any (or no particular) faith.” —Youth Services Book Review
“Ruth Horowitz’s text distills fundamental Jewish laws in an accessible way, without condescension. Jenny Meilihove’s gouache and pencil drawings are perfectly dramatic, depicting the obstacles to Hanina’s quest. Like the very best children’s books, The Midnight Mitzvah will teach readers important values and demonstrate how to learn and change course.” —The Jewish Book Council
“The story here is one that is sweet without being overly so and its origins and links to Jewish beliefs are explained in age-appropriate terms at the end of the book” —Mrs Sydney’s Famous World’s Smallest Library
Honors
- A 2025 CBC Favorites Award winner (K-2nd Grade Teacher, K-2nd Grade Librarian)
-
- PJ Library June 2025 selection and Greenspoon Jewish Story Award
- 30 Best Jewish Books for Kids (with Jewish Main Characters
More
- Watch the book trailer
- Download a free discussion guide
- Watch an interview with my friend Robin Heald, author of The Light My Menorah and me, hosted by the Highlights Foundation
- Read my interview on Book Q&As with Deborah Kalb
The Story Behind the Story
This story is based on a tale from the Talmud, a collection of Jewish laws and lessons that was written almost 2000 years ago. The Talmud tells of Rabbi Hinena bar Pappos, who gave tzedakah (charity) at night, so as not to embarrass the recipients. In Jewish lore, nighttime is ruled by demons and evil spirits. One night, an evil spirit stopped the rabbi, and accused him of trespassing on the demons’ realm. When Rabbi Hinena explained his mission, the evil spirit fled, and the rabbi was able to complete his errand.
I came across this story while participating in Daf Yomi, a practice of reading one page of Talmud a day (to read the entire Talmud this way takes 7.5 years!). I knew I had to tell it. But how to turn a few spare sentences into a book? I thought of my grandmother, Mathilda Brailove. She dedicated much of her life to raising money for charity. But when she became too frail to work, she was embarrassed to admit she needed help.
Mathilda Brailove, a.k.a., Big Grandma, inspired the character of Mathilda Squirrel
Giving in secret is an important value in many religions. Sadaqah, an Arabic word closely related to tzedakah, means voluntary giving. Islam teaches that secret sadaqah preserves the recipient’s dignity, and prevents the giver from boasting. Orthodox Christians tell the story of St. Basil, who would give out special bread with gold coins hidden inside, so the people who received his help would not be embarrassed.
I am grateful to Rabbi Rachel Zerin and Professor Alan Verskin, who helped me find this story and understand it. I hope my interpretation inspires readers to help those in need and to treat them with respect, and to ask for help when they need it.