B"H

Monday, Shevat 22, 5779 / January 28, 2019

This week’s Parsha, Mishpatim, comes right after Parshat Yitro, in which we read about G-d giving the Torah at Mount Sinai. There are over fifty mitzvot in this Parsha.

One of the mitzvot in Parshat Mishpatim, is about helping the poor and needy through charity or by granting them a loan. 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.  The Torah states, "When you will lend money to My people, to the poorwith 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 grant you with your livelihood, together with it I also include money intended for the poor." 

Q. Why does G-d give it to them through us?

A. This way we can 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, many people don’t see it this way and think that giving charity is 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. It is the right thing to do, 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 don’t take with any silver and gold... only their good deeds accompany them.”  

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 give to charity, but He pays back much much more and 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 by saving your child's life when he/she is in need."

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY