In reply to:

There is also the (yidish? or hebrew?)mitzvah (as a bar mitzvah)-- a good deed or act-- I don't know a single english word-- and mitzvah sounds more everyday than a cardinal virtue-- and could include something as simple as giving your (hard earned) seat on the subway to an elderly person-- or a pregnant lady.. small acts of kindness..

Sounds like chivalry, courtesy, gentility, manners. Just plain "the kind of thing you'd do if your mama raised you right."