Re’eh
Parshat Re’eh 5784 – Tzedaka
The Mitzvah of Tzedaka
One of the mitzvot expounded on in Parashat Re’eh is the mitzvah of giving tzedaka, where the Torah instructs to give charity to a needy person. Rashi infers from the juxtaposition of the prohibition of basar b’chalav (cooking meat and milk together) and the parasha of ma’asrot (tithes) that if a person refrains from giving ma’asrot, this can result in damage to one’s produce (which is alluded to in the wording of the passuk prohibiting basar b’chalav).
Tzedaka Expedites the Mashiach
The passuk dictates in this week’s parasha: “lo te’ametz et levavecha”; do not refrain from giving charity to a poor person who asks [for tzedaka]. The Ohr Hachayim Hakadosh says that this passuk contains a hint that Mashiach, who is described in the passuk in Zechariya as an “ani” (poor person), is desperately longing and waiting to come and redeem us (hinted to in the words “becha evyon” which the Ohr Hachayim Hakadosh explains can be understood in a non-literal sense to imply that Mashiach wants to redeem us). By giving charity, with willingness, bnei yisrael will expedite the arrival of Mashiach.
Giving Tzedaka Guarantee’s Wealth
Chazal tell us that the passuk instructing tithing one’s produce contains a hint that one who tithes will attain wealth: from the wording of “asser te’asser” Chazal teach us “asser” (tithe your produce), “bishvil shetitasher” (and you will merit wealth). Interestingly, the mitzvah of tzedaka is the only place where we find permission to test Hashem to see if He will grant wealth to those who give charity (and this is learnt from the passuk in Malachi “u’vechanuni na be’zot” “and test me with this”) and also a guarantee in the Torah that tithing will result in riches.
Tzedaka and Mazal
Another interesting hint contained in this passuk of “asser te’asser” is “asser” i.e. take a “tenth” from the each letter in the word “te’asser”; i.e. if one takes the numerical value of each letter of the word “te’asser” (tav = 400, ayin = 70, shin = 300, resh = 200) and divides these values by ten (i.e. 400/10 = 40; 70/10 = 7, 300/10 = 30, 200/10 = 20), the resulting letters that correspond to the new values (i.e. 40 = mem, 7 = zayin, 30 = lamed, 20 = chaf) spell out “mazalcha” or “your good fortune” which is determined by a person giving tzedaka.
One approach that can help a person part with his hard earned money and give charity is to view one’s income as though Hashem is giving us 90%, on condition that we give 10% to charity.
Giving and Giving Again
Although it is certainly extremely praiseworthy and commendable when a person gives one large donation; it is far more difficult to give the same amount in small “instalments” by giving small amounts to charity time and time again. But we should keep in mind that we also ask Hashem time and time again for the things that we need. And before we start judging others to determine if they are really deserving of the tzedaka that they are requesting, we should stop and ask ourselves if we are really deserving of all the things which we request from Hashem on a constant basis.
Our general approach should be to try our best to give everyone whatever they need - and this is not limited to charity; some need encouragement, or a friendly word, a compliment, assistance, support, etc.
The Impression of Tzedaka
Every time we give tzedaka, we are bettering ourselves. The mekubalim teach us that every mitzvah (or chalilah aveirah) that one performs is marked on a person’s forehead. The great Rav Chayim Vital was once admonished by the holy Arizal for not performing kibbud av va’em correctly (and the Arizal saw this deficiency on the forehead of Rav Chayim Vital).
The forehead impression caused by each mitzva that one performs lasts only until the next mitzva that one performs, when the impression caused by the first mitzvah is replaced by the impression caused by the second mitzvah. There is one mitzvah where the impression caused does not get erased; and that is the impression of the mitzvah of tzedaka that will constantly remain on one’s forehead (and this is hinted to in the passuk that says “ve’tzidkato omedet la’ad).
As we are blessing the month of Elul this Shabbat . the month in which everyone looks to increase their zechuyot (merits) before Rosh Hashana we should remind ourselves of the great opportunity of the mitzvah of tzedaka, and we should all merit to reap both the spiritual and physical rewards of this special mitzvah.
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Gad Bouskila
