נתון תתן לו ולא ירע לבבך בתתך לו ... (טו-י)
MASHAL: One of the first prominent Chassidishe Rebbes to come to Montreal was R’ Yochanan Twersky zt”l, the Tolner Rebbe. During the difficult postwar years his home was always open to visitors, and he and his wife tended to the needs of each individual with loving tender care.
But it wasn’t only his greatly expanded heart full of love that he showered upon everyone; he went well beyond that. He realized there were individuals who had a difficult time soliciting clothing and other commodities they so desperately needed but didn’t have the heart to ask for them. To that end, he conceived a novel way to help these destitute refugees, especially before the harsh Montreal winters.
The Rebbe would arrive at the mikvah with layers of clothing, wearing numerous jackets and sweaters. He would then conveniently “forget” them, announcing that anything left behind was “hefker” free for taking. The Rebbe thus ensured that while their bodies were warm, their pride was intact.
Once, after “forgetting” most of his clothing at the mikvah, the Rebbe was walking home, jacketless, only in his white shirt and tzitzis and someone reprimanded him that this was unbecoming for a Rebbe. The Rebbe laughingly replied, “For someone like me, it’s very becoming.”
NIMSHAL: In this week’s parsha, the Torah expounds on the mitzvah of tzedaka. The are many things that can be given as charity; some are monetary while others are commodities, but there is one common denominator that goes above and beyond them all: the way one gives the charity! Anyone ever in a pressing situation can attest that more than the help they received was they way they got it. This is why we strive to perform this especially important mitzvah in a respectful way.
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