Tuesday, Menachem Av 25, 5781 / August 3, 2021

 

This Shabbat we read from the Torah Parshat, Re’ay -the fourth Parsha in the Book of Deuteronomy.   

 

After the Torah reading, we will bless the new month, Elul, the last month of this year 5781. Elul is the month in which we prepare for the New Year, 5782.  Rosh Hashana is in five weeks from today.

 

There are 55 mitzvot (commandments) mentioned in Parshat Re’ay. The Parsha emphasizes the mitzvah of giving charity and helping each another. Charity (Tzedakah)and the month of Elul go together. According to Jewish law, giving charity during the month of Elul is a preparation for the New Year. Helping others invokes G-d’s mercy upon us to be blessed with a healthy, prosperous and great New Year.

 

In the Parsha (Deuteronomy 15:7), we find the following passage concerning charity: “If there will be a poor person from amongst your brothers, you must not harden your heart or shut your hand from your destitute brother. Rather, you must open and open your hand to him and give him sufficient to fulfill his requirements that he is lacking.”

 

The Torah continues, “You shall give him and give him and your heart should not feel bad when you give to him. For G-d, your G-d, will bless all your work and everything you do as a result.”

 

We see here the great importance the Torah places on giving charity.  The Torah uses a double expression, “open and open your hand.”  Also, “You shall give him and give him.” This is an especially important reminder as we enter the month of Elul in which we should increase in being generous, so that, in turn, G-d will grant us whatever we need for the New Year. 

 

Our sages say, “Convincing others to give, is an even greater mitzvah.” From this we see how important it is to be involved in charitable causes.

 

The Talmud says, “When one gives charity they are blessed with six blessings.  But one who gives in a pleasant way, which makes the receiver feel good, is blessed with an additional eleven blessings!  One who gives in a way which makes the poor person feel good is blessed with seventeen blessings!

 

Tzedakah-charity is one mitzvah that one is allowed to test G-d with. One is allowed to say, “I am giving this donation so that my family should be healthy, etc.” G-d will surely repay this mitzvah with many blessings. 

 

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

 

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In loving memory of Miriam Altman - Miriam bat Leib - Yartzeit is today, Av 25.

May her memory be a blessing.  May her soul rest in peace in Gan Eden.

Dedicated by her children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren