Wednesday, Shevat 26, 5777 / February 22, 2017

 

Dear friend, I am writing to you from Israel. If you send me the names (Hebrew names if possible) of your loved ones, it will be my pleasure to pray for them at the Holy places I visit in Israel.    

 

In this week’s Parsha, Mishpatim, the Torah commands us about the mitzvah of giving charity, helping the needy and being generous to the ones who are not as fortunate as we are.

 

The Torah states, "When you will lend money to My people, to the poor with you, you shall not press him, neither shall you place upon him interest... for when he will cry to Me, I will hear for I am merciful."

 

Q.   "When you will lend money to My people, to the poor with you..." What is the meaning of the two seemingly extra words, "with you"?

 

A.   Our sages explain that the Torah tells us that the money one lends or gives to the poor is in fact the poor person’s money which is "with you." 

 

In other words: G-d says, "Be kind and charitable to the poor, for when I bless you with your monetary needs and your livelihood, together with it I also include money intended for the poor." 

 

Why does G-d give it to them through us? It is so that we will merit reward for this mitzvah.  Although it is not our money which we give away, for it was meant for the poor in the first place, yet, G-d rewards us for being His messenger to provide for the poor.  Unfortunately, too many people don’t see it this way and think that giving charity is entirely voluntary.

 

The Hebrew word for charity is Tzedakah, which does not mean charity, but righteousness. 

 

Giving to the needy or supporting worthwhile institutions is not an act of charity (a gift etc.), but a performance of righteousness, for that money was originally intended not for us but for the needy.   

 

In Pirkei Avot (Chapters of our Fathers) our sages teach us, "At the time of a person's passing from this world, they are not accompanied by their silver  and gold... only by their good deeds."  

 

In this context the words,“When you will lend money to My people, to the poor with you,” means that the mitzvah of helping the poor is "with you."  For this mitzvah and good deed will forever be "with you," for it accompanies the person even in the World-to-Come.

 

Our sages explain that G-d repays not only the amount which we gave to charity, but He pays back much more in ways which only He can. G-d says, "You have helped the poor person when he was hungry and thus kept him alive, I will repay you also a soul for a soul, by saving your child's life when he/she will be in need." May G-d grant us all good health and whatever we need.

 

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY