B"H
Monday, Shevat 26, 5781 / February 8, 2021
The mitzvah of Gemilas Chasadim - helping those in need, through charity or by a loan, is one of the many mitzvot (commandments) mentioned in this week's Parsha, Mishpatim. The following stories illustrate several aspects of this important mitzvah:
* One of the older Chasidim of Rabbi Shneur Zalmen of Liadi had a free loan society through which he would help people by giving them interest free loans. When he became older, he asked the Rebbe for permission to hand over the society to someone else, claiming that, “running The Free Loan Organization steals lots of valuable time from me. At this age, I would prefer to better devote my time to study Torah."
Rabbi Schneur Zalmen replied, "It is not true that acts of generosity and kindness 'steals' your time. If anything,it gives you more time!"
The Chasid continued administrating the Gemilas Chasadim Fund and, the Rebbe's words "that acts of generosity and kindness do not steal of one's time, but rather give more time," were fulfilled. He lived an additional 15 years and passed away at a very old age. The lesson is clear: one does not 'lose' time by investing it in the mitzvah of helping others!
* Rabbi Schneur Zalmen often sent representatives to the cities and villages where his Chasidim lived. The representatives would collect money to support the needy in Israel.
One Chasid earned his livelihood by peddling his wares throughout the area. Whenever he earned extra money, he would attribute it to the fact that there was a special need for charity. "I'm sure," he would say, "that when I come home one of the Rebbe's collectors will be waiting for me!"
This story too teaches us a lesson! The money we earn comes through G-d's blessings. Therefore, we must remember the poor and needy for whom G-d intended a share of what He gives us.
* The Talmud tells the following story: Rabbi Akiva had a daughter whom stargazers forecast would die on her wedding day. This caused Rabbi Akiva much worry.
After her wedding, when she went to sleep, she took a golden brooch from her headdress and stuck it into the wall. In the morning, she was shocked to see a dead poisonous snake, with her golden brooch pierced through its eye! She ran to tell her father.
"My daughter," asked Rabbi Akiva, "What have you done to deserve such a miracle?"
"At my wedding," she replied, "a poor man came and pleaded for a meal to satisfy his hunger. I saw that everyone was too busy with the wedding festivities to help him, so I got up and gave him my own portion which you, father, had personally served me." "That's it!" her father exclaimed. "That Mitzvah saved your life!"
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL DAY