Re’eh: The virtue of giving charity
In our Torah portion,, we study about the Noahide obligation of giving charity, which is mentioned twice in the Torah portion, each time using a double expression. The first commandment is: “You shall open your hand,” and the second commandment is: “You shall give him.” In both commandments, the Torah uses a double expression: “open, you shall open” and “give, you shall give.”
This double expression means that the obligation to give charity is not limited to just one time, but one is required to give repeatedly. The Torah emphasizes that a person must actually provide the needy with what they require. The double language emphasizes that charity should be given repeatedly, and the struggle against one’s inclination not to give is a crucial part of the commandment (does anyone love to give his money away?). Overcoming this struggle reveals the divine strength within a person, which is considered an especially meritorious act. This could be a materialistic need or a spiritual need. In both cases, we should make an attempt to supply the needy.
In every act of charity, a person must open his heart and hand, and he must avoid, heaven forbid, a situation where his heart is hardened, and his hand is closed. The prominent commentator, Rashi, says that we should repeat the act of charity “even a hundred times.” This means that avoiding any limitations in this commandment causes limitless abundance to the person who does it. The way one is treating others, exactly that way, one is treated from heaven.
The connection between charity and redemption is that it helps those in need but also purifies and elevates the giver. By giving charity, a person imitates G-d’s kindness and mercy, thus bringing more divine grace into the world. The accumulation of such acts of kindness hastens the coming of Moshiach and the final redemption. This is particularly emphasized during the coming month of Elul, leading up to Rosh Hashanah, when an increase in acts of charity, is a good preparation for the judgment of the new Jewish year, a holiday where the entire world is judged. This preparation applies for Noahides as well. When we give a lot of charity, surely this could pour blessings upon us with a good and prosperous year.
*This is from a series of articles by Rabbi Bernstein Moshe.
