The first verse in this weeks parsha reads,
"When you take the count of the B'nei Yisrael
to determine their numbers, each man shall give
an atonement pledge for his soul to Ad-noy,
when you count them.
Thus there will be no plague among them
when you count them."
"Shall give" give in Hebrew is
ונתנו.
The Ba'al Haturim points out that this Hebrew word is a palindrome.
Shall give is referring to the Nation of Israel giving charity for the building of the Mishkan. The Ba’al Haturim explains that the Torah is teaching us that giving Tzedakah is advantageous for both the receiver and for the giver. The receiver is gaining because he getting money to survive. The giver is also gaining because when he gives he is growing as a person. He is recognizing where all of his money is coming from and what great things can be accomplished with the gifts that G-d gives to us.
The Sefer Hachinuch asks, why does G-d make sure that every human being has money and can sustain and support himself and his family? Why is it that G-d makes some people poor?
He answers, that a large part and purpose of giving charity is to help the giver grow as a person. Therefore, one reason that G-d made people poor was for the giver.
The Midrash Vayikra Rabbah, says an adage which highlights the points from above.
He says,
More than what the giver does for the receiver; the receiver does for the giver.”
We must take this lesson to heart. That by us giving charity we are not only helping our fellow man, but we are also improving ourselves and becoming better people.
1 comment:
very nice idea. It is very important to realize that when we give tzedaka we are not only helping others, but also helping ourselves.
Post a Comment