This week’s Parsha is replete with laws and instructions as to how we are to deal with our charitable giving and with helping those in need.
I had once read a humorous but poignant quote from a leader of a large Jewish organization who helped many individuals and institutions over time.
“When I help someone out I figure on giving them some pebbles! Why pebbles? So, that when they throw something back at me it should be light and not hurt…”
Being ungrateful is human nature – one does not want to feel beholden to another. But our Torah teaches us to have Hakaras Hatov – to always be grateful towards those who helped us. Our badge of honor, the tag that we are referred to by, Yehudim – Jews – comes from the word Hodah, which means to offer thanks.
A person recently asked me how long one has to express their thankfulness to one who has helped them.
I thought about it and answered, that a sincere thank you is adequate. However, the feelings of gratitude are to last forever.
I gave an example, one that I had read, about the great sage Rabbi Moshe Feinstein o.b.m. In his advanced years, he wasn’t able to attend weddings and Simchos to which he was invited.
One day, he told his attendant that he wished to go to a wedding that was going to be held that night. When he was asked why he was making an exception, Reb Moshe replied, “This person who is marrying off his child has helped me out on many occasions. I wish to express my appreciation for all he has done for me by attending the wedding.
When the great sage, Rabbi Yisroel Zev Gussman o.b.m., immigrated to Israel, he used to personally water his garden. He was once asked why he was so particular about watering his garden.
He explained, “While I was a Dayan – Judge – back in Vilna in the famed Bais Din – court – of Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinky, I was once walking together with Reb Chaim Ozer in the woods, and he began pointing out to me all the various trees and plants that were edible, and which were saturated with water etc. At the time, I didn’t quite understand why it was so important for him to explain this to me.
Years later, when I was escaping the Nazis, I hid in the forest. The only way I was able to survive was through remembering the lesson that Reb Chaim Ozer gave me about which trees and plants were edible. I then understood why it was important for him to teach me about the plants and trees.
Reb Gussman continued, “I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the plants and trees for keeping me alive. I never forgot what they did for me in those terrible times. I therefore express my gratitude to them by watering my garden each day!
A philanthropist once told me his model of giving: I own a business that basically runs on its own through a good management team that I employ. I take a substantial salary and figure out my expenses and the rest I give out to charity. I asked him if he puts anything away in savings, the stock market or other investments. He responded, that he considers his business itself his savings account. It has an intrinsic value and it generates my income. “If I were to view my earnings as opportunities to earn more money – it would hinder my interest in using it to help others!”
From the way the Torah formulates the Mitzvah of giving Ma’aser – a tenth of one’s earnings to Tzadakah, our Sages derive the Torah’s amazing guarantee, “Give a tenth – so that you will become wealthy!”
How is it that through giving something away one becomes wealthy?
Our Sages explain it as follows: When G-d affords one with money, within the blessing he receives is a share which belongs to those in need. G-d placed it in the holder’s possession and he is the administrator to give it out.
Thus, when one does his job well by kindly and generously giving Tzadaka, G-d assures that He will continually provide the trustworthy person with additional wealth and blessing so that he will continue to be His loyal representative to distribute and support those in need!
