B"H

Thursday, Elul 4, 5781 / August 12, 2021

This week's Parsha, Shoftim, begins with the mitzvah of appointing judges and officers to ensure a just and rightful judicial system.  The Torah commands, "Tzedek, Tzedek Tirdof” - “Justice justice you shall pursue so that you may live and inherit the land."

Our sages say that "Justice justice (“Tzedek”) you shall pursue" also refers to the concept of charity, which is called “Tzedakah” and comes from the word "Tzedek."  In this context, the Torah commands every Jew to pursue the mitzvah of giving charity, "so that you may live and inherit the land."

There are many stories which illustrate that giving Tzedakah (charity) benefits the person who gives the charity, even more than the one who receives it. Here is a story from Midrash Yalkut Shimoni.

There was a poor Jew who labored in the field. One day, the prophet Elijah appeared to him and said, "You are destined to be blessed with six years of extraordinary wealth.  You have the choice whether to have them now or the last six years of your life."

Confused, the man said, "Let me go home and consult my wife."  Elijah agreed.  When he told his wife about the strange offer, she said, "Ask for the six years to begin now."  The next day he again met Elijah in the field and told him of his wife's decision to begin the years of wealth immediately.  Elijah agreed and said, "Go home.  Before you arrive home your wealth will already have arrived!"

His children, who were playing in the yard, found a great treasure. When the man returned home, he was greeted by his wife and children who excitedly told him of the great fortune that they found.

They all gave thanks to G-d for the wonderful gift.  The wife then said, "Since G-d has been so good to us and blessed us with six years of wealth, we must be extremely kind and generous. We must use our wealth properly and give lots of charity and help others."  They excelled in giving charity and kept a detailed ledger of the charity they distributed.

Six years later, the prophet Elijah appeared to the man and told him that it was time to return the fortune. The man responded, "Six years ago, I didn't make the decision before asking my wife. Now too, I want to consult my wife first."  Elijah agreed. He went home and told his wife that Elijah came back to claim their fortune. His wife replied, "Go and tell Elijah that if he found someone more trustworthy than us, we will gladly give it back.

After examining their charitable records for the past six years, it was decreed in heaven that the fortune stay with them for the rest of their lives. Thus, the Torah commands us to pursue the mitzvah of giving charity (“Tzedek Tzedek Tirdof”) for in the end it is beneficial to the one who gives.

Parshat Shoftim is always read in the month of Elul, the month in which, according to our sages, it is important to give more Tzedakah-charity than usual. 

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