VOLUME 112 NUMBER 4
Av 26, 5784
August 30, 2024
PARSHAS RE’EH
Candlelighting Time 7:15

The parsha discusses that there are times when the blessing of Hashem is so great that poverty is eliminated. Rashi explains that when the nation is preoccupied with mitzvos and serving Hashem then His benevolence provides for all. Chasam Sofer however is bothered with the language employed in the Torah when this scenario is mentioned. First, although indigence is abolished the Torah is not explicit initially in stating that this circumstance is a blessing from Hashem. Secondly the verse uses a term which conveys that we are asserting that the individual will not encounter those in need. This situation will impact the entire nation and it should be stated in that manner referring to the entire populace.  Also, the first word of the verse, the Hebrew word for zero, apparently expresses nothing is occurring, which is very odd because the Torah is relating an unbelievable situation when we merit that every person has what they need!

He explains that often even when people have economic resources and they actually can assist those in need, some outright refuse to help others complaining that the city’s assets are being depleted. And even if they recognize that this argument is incorrect and they donate to others, their attitude is not healthy and welcoming and the poor person receiving his alms feels embarrassed. On occasion the conversation between the needy individual and the donor is curt and brusque bruising the feelings of the recipient and even perhaps depressing him. The Talmud states that when we help others we should attempt to raise their spirits and empower them in addition to our monetary donation, those who do not follow that dictum of the Sages are doing are great disservice to those who need support in any way possible.

Furthermore, even when we assist those in need and we greet them favorably, perhaps we still feel somewhat unwilling to really help them rather we are only assisting them because it is a mitzvah. But deep inside there is a gnawing sensation that we really can’t afford to donate and we wish that our economic status would be stronger and we could truly have the wherewithal to assist properly. Even this attitude Chasam Sofer shuns stating that one should feel as though he has sufficient funds and rather he should be content with what Hashem  has endowed him with and not greedily pursue more monetary stability. The fact that he has the ability to help others and that Hashem has granted him this opportunity should give him reason to be happy and rejoice that he has performed a mitzvah! 

This is the intent of the verse, referring to the individual, stating that there should not be any degree of a disadvantaged feeling when the mitzvah of tzedakah is available. A person must banish from his thoughts that his giving away for others is really sapping his own financial revenues. The Torah is talking to each and everyone individually providing us with the appropriate reassurance inspiring us to fulfill this mitzvah in the best way possible. Indeed, we should have ‘zero’ discontentment as we place our donation in the hand of the poor man. And, as we truly realize from the wording of the Torah, blessing is not mentioned right away in this verse, because it was written to strengthen our resolve to fulfill the mitzvos, because the true gain from tzedakah is the one who gives. 

A BYTE FOR SHABBOS

The true blessing of life is that we should select the correct lifestyle thereby enjoying the results of that wise decision.          

S’FAS EMES

GOOD SHABBOS

AS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE HEATS UP PERHAPS WE FIND OURSELVES CONCERNED THAT THE WRONG PERSON WILL BE ELECTED. AND IF THAT HAPPENS WHAT WILL BE WITH OUR COUNTRY’S WELFARE AND THE PROTECTION OF OUR PEOPLE IN ERETZ YISROEL. WE MUST ALWAYS KEEP IN MIND THAT HASHEM IS OUR TRUE PROTECTOR AND WHOMEVER WINS THE ELECTION WILL NOT DICTATE THE STATE OF AFFAIRS NOT IN THE USA AND NOT IN ERETZ YISROEL. RATHER HASHEM CONTROLS WORLD EVENTS FOR THE SAKE OF OUR PEOPLE AND OUR JOB IS TO CONTINUE TO OBSERVE THE TORAH AND PERFORM MITZVOS.