B"H

Wednesday, Menachem Av 24, 5784 / August 28, 2024

Among the many mitzvot in this week’s Parsha, Re'ay, is the mitzvah of Tzedakah - giving charity. The Torah requires that at least one tenth of one's income should be given to charity.

Q.   The purpose of giving to charity is to help the needy.  Is it also beneficial to the one who gives the charity?

A.   All of G-d's commandments (mitzvot) benefit the person who observes them.  The mitzvah of Tzedakah is no exception.  Although, by giving to charity it may seem that the donor has now less than before, in the long run however, they gain much more than they gave.  On the other hand, by withholding Tzedakah, even if it may seem that they have more at present, but in truth, the person loses in the long run

The Talmud tells us that just like salt preserves meat, so too, "money needs salt!"  The Tzedakah which one gives is like salt, which preserves one's wealth.  In addition to G-d’s blessing to be successful and make money in business, one must also have G-d’s blessing to preserve it.  This is the quality of Tzedakah – charity. 

The two following stories of the great Talmudic Sage Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair, are found in the Jerusalem Talmud:

Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair once came to a city where the people complained, "We have a well that supplied us with enough water for all our needs.  However, lately, it doesn't give as much water as it used to, and we are in dire need of water."

Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair said to them, "Perhaps, you are being punished measure for measure because you are not giving proper tithes from your produce!"  The people realized that they were indeed lax in the giving of tithes and took the sage's words to heart.  They were now careful with their charity and the well again gave water in abundance as before.

Another Talmudic story: Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair came to a city and the people of the city complained that they had a plague of mice who were devouring all of their produce.

Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair, with his G-dly powers, decreed that the mice come before him.  They came in droves and screeched loudly.  Rabbi Pinchas asked the people whether they understand what the mice were saying.  The people replied, "No."

Rabbi Pinchas said to them, "They are saying that you are not tithing the produce as prescribed by the Torah and thus they have the right to eat it!"

The people of the city realized their mistake and promised to better their ways.  "Rabbi, guarantee us that if we give proper tithes the mice will leave us alone."  Rabbi Pinchas promised them and as soon as the townspeople began giving proper tithes, the problem with the mice was resolved!

"Blood" in Hebrew is "damim" and money is "damim."  What is the connection?  Our sages draw the following analogy: Just like when one gives blood it is automatically replenished by the body, so too, with charity, G-d replenishes the money which was given and many times more.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL DAY

UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW

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