B"H

Tuesday, Menachem Av 26, 5776 / August 30, 2016 - Hakhel year

In Parshat Re'ay, which we read this Shabbat, Moshe, in the final week’s of his life, tells the Jewish nation to adhere to the mitzvot, "And you shall observe all the statutes and the ordinances which I set before you this day." The Parsha emphasizes the importance of the mitzvah of Tzedakah (charity) - helping the poor and needy.

One can be charitable by contributing money or time. Our sages teach us that if one lacks financial means, he or she can still help by volunteering to collect funds and be involved in charitable causes.  The Talmud states that in many ways, "The one who influences others to give is even greater than the one who gives."

According to the sages, one should not wait until the person is in dire need and lost all self respect and dignity.  We should help them while they are still on their own two feet. 

A horse and donkey were carrying a load for their master. The donkey's load was extremely heavy and exhausting while the horse's load was light. Said the donkey to the horse, "Please help me with my load as I feel that I cannot carry too much longer. If you don't help, I will soon fall under my heavy burden." But the horse refused. A little while later the donkey fell to the ground and died. The owner now transferred the donkey's entire load onto the horse!

The same, say our sages, is when one needs help. If we refuse to help and the other person falls, then G-d transfers their load over to the one who refused to help.

The Roman general, Turnisrufus the wicked, once asked Rabbi Akiva, "If your G-d loves poor people, as you claim, why doesn't he feed them Himself?  Why does he leave their care in the hands of others?"

Rabbi Akiva replied, "Because G-d wants to give us the opportunity to perform the mitzvah of Tzedakah (charity) which will save us from punishment in the World-to-Come."

"Just the opposite! Helping the poor will bring you punishment in the World-to Come," exclaimed Turnisrufus. "I will explain this with the following parable. When the king is angry at his servants, he throws them in jail. Surely anyone who feeds and clothes them will be punished by the king. The same with people who have been punished by G-d to be poor. One who shows them kindness will be punished, not rewarded."

"Your analogy is wrong," replied Rabbi Akiva. "I will give you a different example. The King's son sinned against his father. In punishment, the father threw him in jail. Then a person had pity and fed the king's son. Do you think that the king will be angry?  In fact, the king is happy that someone pitied his son. “

“The same is with helping the poor,” said Rabbi Akiva. “When we help them, we are helping G-d's children and this invokes G-d's love and mercy upon us.”

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY