B"H

Thursday, Elul 14, 5780 / September 3, 2020

The name of the month, Elul, is an acronym for three Biblical verses which speak of Teshuva (Repentance/return); Tefilah (prayer); Tzedakah (charity).  Our sages tell us that, "Repentance, prayer and Tzedakah, nullify bad decrees." This is why during this month, when we prepare for Rosh Hashana, we give more charity than usual.

Tzedakah (charity) is a very unique and special mitzvah.  Rabbi Meir of Premishlan explains it as follows: "I had a dream in which my soul ascended to heaven and came to Gan Eden (Paradise) where I sat down near its gates.  There, I saw a very respectable Jew demanding to be let in."

"Who are you? What merits do you have to deserve entry into Gan Eden?" asked the angel in charge.

"I was a Rabbi. All my life I studied and taught Torah. I deserve to enter through these gates," he replied firmly.

The angel wasn't impressed.  "You will have to wait," he replied.  "We have to check if your studying and teaching Torah was truly for G-d's sake or was it for ulterior motives."

Then another distinguished looking Jew arrived at the gates of Gan Eden and wanted to enter. "Who are you?  And why do you deserve entry to Gan Eden?" questioned the angel.

"My entire life I devoted to G-d. I spent my days in prayer and study of Torah. I sure deserve Gan Eden, for whom else was the Gan Eden created?" he demanded.

"Not so fast," replied the angel.  "Although you may have done everything you claim, we must be sure that it was done with purity and sincerity.  You will have to wait until we check it out thoroughly."

As the angel is still arguing with this man, a very plain and simple person appears at the gates. "I would like to go into Paradise," he declared.

"Who are you and what did you accomplish during your lifetime to be worthy of Gan Eden?" asks the angel.

"I was a very simple person and earned my living from an inn at the roadside. Whenever travelers came hungry and tired, I made sure to give them food and lodging. If a person was poor I charged him less or didn't charge him at all. I tried my best to accommodate my guests. But on second thought, perhaps I'm not worthy of entering Gan Eden, especially seeing these rabbis and scholars waiting."

"Come right in!" exclaimed the angel.  Then the angel explained, "We have to check all the others to see whether their deeds were pure and sincere. However, helping people in need and giving them food and lodging does not need any checking.  It doesn't matter why you did it, as long as the other person was helped!"

"Every other mitzvah," concluded Rabbi Meir of Premishlan, "requires pure intentions to be done properly. With Tzedakah-charity, the reason or motive doesn't matter, as long as the recipient benefited!"

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & SHANA TOVA