D’Var Torah Parsha Behar
Iyar 23/24,5773 May 3 / 4 ,2013
Who Is The Rich One?
25:35 Vechi yamuch achicha umatah yado imach
vehechezakta bo ger vetoshav vachai imach
If your
brother becomes impoverished and his hand [assets] become shaky among you, you
must support him, [so too] the proselyte and the sojourner, [so] that he shall
live with you.
36 Al-tikach me'ito neshech vetarbit veyareta
me'Elokeicha vechei achicha imach
You shall
not take from him interest or usury and you shall fear your G-d, and your
brother shall live with you.
37 Et-kaspecha lo-titen lo beneshech uvemarbit
lo-titen ochlecha
You must
not give [lend] him your money with interest, and usuriously you must not
advance him your food.
38 Ani HASHEM Elokeichem asher hotzeti etchem
me'eretz Mitzrayim latet lachem et-eretz Kena'an lihyot lachem le-Elokim
I am
HASHEM your G-d who brought you out from the land of Egypt to give you the land
of Kena'an, to be a G-d for you.
There are
people we all may know, who may have extreme material wealth, but are VERY ego
and self-centric, not helping others in need, and live an extremely (external) comfortable
life, although these same people are constantly worrying about their own
financial future and their money; Anxiety and constant worry, and a lack of
true belief, faith in G-d . Is that personally really “rich”? I am NOT saying MOST persons of strong
financial means are not faithful, BUT for this exercise, let’s ONLY take the
subset of ego-centric, non-philanthropic people.
We all know Bill Gate is both extremely wealthy, and very philanthropic! BH’! (Thank G-D); we need more Bill Gates!
We may see
in contrast, that those less financially fortunate, from those mentioned above,
and may have some or a few financial strains and stresses, but have such strong
faith, trust, and reliance in G-d, they’re honestly at peace. They have true self-fulfillment!
When we’re
asked to please participate in giving a donation or a charitable effort, the
person who has the faith, the belief, the one who trusts G-D entirely, seems to
put forth without hesitation.
A person
who truly trusts G-D should accordingly set his/her life style and adhere to
that…………. He should not overly worry
about what’s next, but instead fully entrust his faith and NOT neglect his true
belief, his honest practice, and his love of G-D!. Obviously, I must add, the same person needs
to spend with in his means, and plan accordingly, and NOT necessarily overdo
it, BUT most definitely, live by the Torah, and its laws.
This is
the true meaning of the Torah’s admonition or proof “Ve’Hechezakta Bo” – “And
you should help support him.” When a
needy person turns to you for help and/or assistance, do NOT respond by
advising to trust in ONLY in G-D, and nothing else, and NOT offer from your
heart,………. but gently, nicely, with sincere meaning, help him help himself immediately
with your support and teach
sustainability.
It’s not
just about giving the donation of whatever it may be, but it is indeed showing
your love for G-D, and your devout faith from within, and sharing that very
aspect with your brother. Donations and
charity can come in different forms, different manners or paths, but faith, is
just “THAT”, your true, your honest, your daily walk with G-D!
The next
time when stopped at a red light signal, and a person is walking in the streets (hopefully safely), and looks
at you, DON’T look away, even if you are unable to share even a dime; You
should share a smile, practice your belief, and how you walk hand in hand with
The Torah.
Shabbat Shalom
-Amen-
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