B"H
Thursday, Elul 18, 5781 / August 26, 2021
Parshat Ki Tavo, which we read this Shabbat, begins with the mitzvah of "Bikurim" - offering of the "First Fruits" to the Kohen (priest). The Parsha also speaks about giving the tithes, “to the Levite, to the convert, to the orphan and to the widow, so they can eat to their satisfaction.” This is the mitzvah of tzedakah (charity), helping the poor and needy.
The Torah singles out the convert, the orphan and widow, because usually they need assistance. But this mitzvah applies to anyone who is in need.
Q. The Torah says, "And you shall rejoice in all the good which the L-rd, your G-d, has given you and to your household.” How can one rejoice when giving tzedakah, when they are now missing that amount?
A. Our sages explain that everything belongs to G-d! Whatever we have is a gift from G-d. G-d gave it to us with certain conditions. One of the conditions is that we help others. Thus, the money intended for tzedakah is not ours to begin with. It was given to us to distribute to the poor, so that we can have the mitzvah of tzedakah and thus continue the flow of G-d’s blessings.
Rabbi Zusia of Anipoli, a very righteous and pious man, who spent his time in prayer and study of Torah, was a very poor man. One of the people in Anipoli recognized his great piety and supplied all his material needs. As a result, G-d blessed this man with wealth.
Once, the benefactor came to the synagogue looking for Rabbi Zusia. He was told that Rabbi Zusia went to Mezritch to visit his Rabbi and teacher, Rabbi Dov Ber.
"If for helping Rabbi Zusia, G-d sent me such blessings; how much more will I be blessed, if I will provide the needs of his Rabbi and teacher who must be even more pious than Rabbi Zusia!" he said to himself.
From that day on, the man stopped helping Rabbi Zusia. Instead, he gave it all to Rabbi Dov Ber. But from then on his business started going downhill. After a while, he realized that he had erred. He came to Rabbi Zusia and begged his forgiveness for neglecting him. Rabbi Zusia quickly forgave him. The man then took the opportunity to ask Rabbi Zusia, "Why, when I helped you, G-d blessed me. Yet when I helped your teacher, who must be greater than you, G-d took away His blessings?"
Rabbi Zusia replied, "G-d treats us as we treat others.” As long as you helped me, without calculating whether I was deserving or not, G-d helped you too, regardless whether you were deserving or not.
But when you decided to help only one who is most righteous and deserving, G-d, in turn, did the same. He started looking into whether you were most righteous and deserving. That's when your luck went the other way!"
Today, the 18th of Elul is the birthday of Rabbi Israel, Baal Shem Tov, founder of the Chassidic movement. It is also the birthday of Rabbi Shneur Zalmen of Liadi, founder of Chabad. May their memory be a blessing to us all.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & SHANA TOVA