Friday, 18 August 2017

Miller's Musings Parshas Re'eh: Live It Before You Give It



בס''ד

                            
There are occasions when one hears a seemingly satisfactory answer to a question, only to realise upon further probing that it does not in fact resolve the problem at all. One example takes place in an interesting exchange between Turnus Rufus and Rabbi Akiva, when discussing the mitzva in our Parsha of giving to the impoverished amongst us.  The infamous Roman governor posed the question that if G-d loves the poor so much, why does He not simply provide them with adequate resources so that they do not need the assistance of others? Rabbi Akiva answered that the reason for there being those who are destitute is to provide a means by which those who donate are able to be saved from the negative consequences in the Next World.  This ostensibly neat solution however still leaves us with the question as to why Hashem does not simply create another mitzva in its place, without the need for poverty, that would similarly give us such an opportunity for salvation?

Giving charity is a tremendous mitzva no matter what form it takes.  But as with all mitzvos, there are levels of performance and varying degrees of perfection with which one can engage in it.  The Saba MiKelm zt’l explains that the mitzva of Tzedoko is not merely the transferral of funds from one’s own pocket into the hands of the underprivileged, but is a process of developing one’s love for another human being.  The contemplation of that which they lack and empathy for their situation is the only way to achieving perfection in this mitzvo.  By truly considering the needs of another, perhaps beyond one’s own, one cannot help but cultivate a feeling of compassion and friendship towards the beneficiary of your kindness.  This unifying principle of the Torah and the outcome it engenders cannot be achieved without this process of Tzedoko. 

Those of us who are in the privileged situation to do so, are, I am sure, generous donators towards worthy causes.  But how much thought do we put in to the giving that we do?  When someone in need extends their hand to us, how much do we actually stop to try and feel what they may be going through?  The act of giving itself is of tremendous worth, but if we are to achieve the fulfillment of this mitzva to the highest degree, let us try to stop, just for a moment, and reflect upon the recipient’s pain and suffering of being in this position. Doing so will be conferring on ourselves even more than we have given to the other, creating deeper feelings of humanity and love within us.

*May the warmth of Shabbos spill over to each other*
                                                                                                                            
לעילוי נשמת לאה בת אברהם

לרפואה שלימה:  שרה יעל בת ברכה אסתר

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