D'var Torah - August 6, 2010
“When to Give” D’var Torah August 6-7, 2010
When you consider making a gift—tzedakah – possibly one of the first thoughts might be: What am I going to lose? To do without? The fear of having less can drive the desire to make a gift, to do what feels good, to build up someone or a cause or an initiative. When we “do the math” it’s obvious that X - $100 = -$100.
Or does it? Is the giving of tzedakah an exercise in pure math?
Surely not according to Judaism. In fact even at the time of having less, we are to give. This weekend’s Torah portion speaks about the Shemitah year, every 7th year when we allow the land to lay fallow. No planting, and therefore no harvesting. (You’ve heard of Sabbaticals?)
The interesting point made in the Torah is that even during the Sabbatical year it says, “commanded” to give him of what you have to eat and to live on. (It reminds me of the Fiddler on the Roof when a beggar says to a prospective giver, who gave only a few coins this week rather than his regular gift, as he was asking for charity, “So you’ve had a bad week; why should I suffer!?”
9 “Beware, lest there be in your heart an unfaithful thought, saying, "The seventh year, the year of release has approached," and you will begrudge your needy brother and not give him, and he will cry out to the Lord against you, and it will be a sin to you. 10 You shall surely give him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him; for because of this thing the Lord, your God, will bless you in all your work and in all your endeavors. 11 For there will never cease to be needy within the land. Therefore, I command you, saying, you shall surely open your hand to your brother, to your poor one, and to your needy one in your land.” (Deuteronomy 15:9-11)
Davka because there will always be needy, we need to give because although we will have less because of the shemita, Sabbatical Year, that others might also suffer.
Great perspective on tzedakah – even in these challenging times today!
Shabbat Shalom!
MARK