Leo Rosten, author of 'The Joys of Yidish', defines a mensch this way: someone to admire and emulate, someone of noble character. The key to being a real mensch is nothing less than character, rectitude, dignity, and a sense of what is right, responsible and decorous.

Think about it...What do you want to be remembered for?

1. HELP THOSE WHO CANNOT HELP YOU.

A mensch helps people who can never return the favor. He doesn't even care if the recipient is rich, famous or powerful. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't help rich, famous or powerful people (indeed, they may need the most help), but you shouldn't only help rich, famous or powerful people.


2. HELP WITHOUT THE EXPECTATION OF RETURN.

A mensch helps people without the expectation of return - at least in this life. What's the payoff? Not that there has to be a payoff, but the payoff is the pure satisfaction of helping others. Nothing more, nothing less.


3. HELP MANY PEOPLE

Menschdom is a numbers game: You should help lots of people, so you don't hide your generosity under a bushel. (Of course, not even a mensch can help everyone. Trying to do so would mean failing to help anyone.)


4. DO THE RIGHT THING

A mensch would never cop an attitude like, "We aren't as bad as Enron." There's a clear line between right and wrong, and a mensch never crosses that line.


5. PAY BACK SOCIETY

A mensch understands that she is blessed. For example, an entrepreneur is blessed with vision and passion, as well as the ability to recruit people, raise money and help change the world. These blessings come with the obligation to pay society back. The base line is that we owe something to society - we're not doing a favor by paying society back.

Think about this: It's the end of your life. What three things do you want to be remembered for?