Re'eh 5772

This week’s parsha contains the mitzvah (commandment) and obligation to give tzedaka, monetary support to those in need. The word tzedaka often is translated as “charity”. The correct translation is “righteousness”. It is not merely a charitable act to give to the poor; it is every person’s obligation.

“If there will be among you a needy person…you shall not harden your heart, and you shall not close your hand…Rather, you shall surely open your hand to him, and you shall lend him sufficient for his needs, which he is lacking…You shall surely give him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him.”

Why does Torah repeat the word “open” in the phrase patoach tiftach et yadcha (literally, open, you shall open your hand) as well as “give” in the phrase naton titen lo (literally, give, you shall give him)?

The parsha aims to teach not only that we are obligated to give tzedaka, but that there is a specific way to offer tzedaka. Rabbis Yisroel and Osher Anshel Jungreis note that it is unusual for Torah to specify how to fulfill a mitzvah. Torah’s usual emphasis is on the fulfillment of a mitzvah rather than the manner in which it is being performed.

Write the Rabbis Jungreis: “When it comes to tzedaka, we must be sensitive to the feelings of the needy, who are humiliated by the fact they have to beg. [The repeated word “open” teaches] that we are required to give again and again, and always with a gracious, full heart.” Rashi writes that we are obligated to help someone financially “even a hundred times” if the person remains in need.

Rabbi Zelig Pliskin refers to Ibn Ezra’s explanation of “you shall not harden your heart”: “that you should not refrain from speaking kind words to his heart.” Writes Rabbi Pliskin: “We have an obligation to open our hearts to [a needy person] and to talk to him in a compassionate and empathetic manner. We must go out of our way to give him words of encouragement.”

Rabbi Kalman Packouz on aish.com cites the teachings of the Vilna Gaon: When we shut our hand, our fingers appear to be all the same length. When we open our hand, however, we notice that each finger is a different length. This reminds us that every poor person has different needs, and our obligation to each one is in accordance with his unique situation. “Do not shut your hands” means do not give equally to every individual. “You shall surely open your hand” means take notice that everyone’s needs are different, and give accordingly.

As parents, we know that our children learn by observing what we do and how we do it. Therefore, when we give tzedaka, we should try to include our children in the experience as much as possible. Advises Sara Shapiro-Plevan on myjewishlearning.com: “Help your child understand that in the end, one of the best ways to help make our world a more just, fair place is to share the resources we have with others who don’t have them.”