B"H
Tuesday, Shevat 23, 5779 / January 29, 2019
One of the mitzvot in Parshat Mishpatim, as mentioned yesterday, is to help those who are in financial need. The Torah commands, "When you lend money to My people, to the poor person [who is] with you, do not act toward him as a demanding creditor. Do not place the burden of interest upon him."
Although the Torah uses the Hebrew expression, “Im”, which can be translated, "IF” you lend, which implies that one is not obligated to lend, our sages explain that here it doesn't mean "if" but rather "when.” For giving a loan and helping those in need is a mitzvah and commandment which we are required to perform.
Q. Why does the Torah use the Hebrew word “Im” which can be translated as "if"?
A. The Rabbis explain that the word “if” here means, "If G-d blessed you with money and financial means, make sure that you lend and help the poor man with you." In this context the Torah tells us, if you have been blessed with financial means, then you must help those who need help. The true purpose for which G-d gives us also wealth is so that we shall be generous to others.
Another way of translating this verse is: If you want to make sure that your wealth stays always yours, use it to help others. For that which one uses to help the poor is the only possession which is truly theirs! The only possession which is guaranteed to be forever ours is the money we give to charity and help the needy.
Our sages say, "When a person passes away from this world, it is not their silver, nor gold and not the precious stones which will go with them. Only the Torah and good deeds they performed during their lifetime will accompany them in the World-to-Come." Only the charity we gave and what we spent to help others, those are our everlasting possessions.
Q. Why is there no blessing for the mitzvah of charity, as we do before performing other mitzvot?
A. The blessings for mitzvot was established by our sages. The blessing is recited before performing the mitzvah. They didn’t want the person in need to have to wait, even the time it takes the giver to recite a blessing! It shows the importance of performing this mitzvah as quick as possible.
One of the elder Chasidim of Rabbi Shneur Zalmen of Liadi had a free loan society through which he would help people. He once asked the Rebbe for permission to hand over the society to someone else, claiming that it steals valuable time from me, which I would prefer to devote to study Torah.
Rabbi Schneur Zalmen replied, "It is not true that acts of generosity and kindness 'steal' your time. If anything, they give you more time!" The Chasid continued administrating the Free Loan Fund and, the Rebbe's words were indeed fulfilled. He lived an additional 15 years and passed away at a very old age. One does not lose by investing in a mitzvah!
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY