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Caring for Your People \ Parashat Mishpatim
D'var Torah: "When you lend money to My people, to the poor of your people" (Shemot 22:24). A beautiful teaching of our Sages sheds light on this verse, "Let us reflect on how valuable is a good reputation within the community. Even if a person acquires a vast fortune, if he hasn't acquired a good name, he has acquired nothing." If a wealthy person has not acquired a good name, it is most likely due to the fact that he did not dedicate any of his funds to charity or kindness. He didn't realize that HaShem gave him his wealth so that he would act as trustee for the poor and dedicate a portion of the funds in his charge on their behalf. For this reason the verse says, "the poor of your people," implying that those who have the means to help the poor carry the responsbility to take care of those who are less fortunate, i.e., "your people."
Moral: When a father leaves all of his wealth to one of his sons, it is obvious that his intention was to appoint him to distrubute the funds amongst all of his brethren. So too, it is not plausible that HaShem grants wealth to some of His sons, and disregards His other sons. Rather, HaShem grants an extra portion to the wealthy people, so that they will share their wealth with others; and then all of HaShem's sons will be well cared for.
Application: If you have the means to give tzadaka or help others with your funds, envision yourself as a trustee for the poor. Sense the responsibity that HaShem gave you to take care of His chidren. Distribute the funds to your favorite charitable causes with compassion and generosity. If you do not currently have the means to help others, trust in HaShem that He will take care of you, for you are His beloved son or daughter. (Based on the commentary of the Chofetz Chaim)
The Salant Foundation is currently looking for a Shul or community to partner with us in sharing the merit of the unique and important Salant Kollel. There are practical and easy ways (such as adoptakollel.org) to create a special mutual relationship between the Kollel and a Shul or community. If you think your shul or community or even workplace might want to participate in supporting the Salant Kollel, please contact Rabbi Zvi Miller at salantorg@gmail.com, and we'll discuss how to go about implementing your idea. Thank you. | 
