The Receiver Is the Giver \ Parashat Re'eh
“You shall surely give him, and let not your heart feel bad when you give him, for in return for this matter, HaShem, your G-d, will bless you in all of your deeds and in all of your endeavors” (Devarim 15:10).
The verse tell us that the giver of charity should not be distressed because HaShem will bless him for his benevolence.
Why does the Torah reverse the roles? It is the poor man who needs HaShem’s blessings! Why does the Torah grant a blessing to the wealthy man? Wouldn’t it suffice to alleviate the reservations of the giver, if HaShem simply reassured him that he is doing a righteous act? Let HaShem bless the poor man, let the giver retain his wealth, and may HaShem provide them both with their needs.
The Torah is revealing a hidden truth. The act of kindness is performed by the receiver and not the giver! Yet, how can a receiver “give”?
If the giver of the charity is blessed by HaShem, then the source of the blessing is the poor person. Without the recipient, no blessing would be awakened for the benefactor. HaShem blesses the wealthy because of the poor man, who received the charity!
HaShem grants us the opportunity to find favor in His eyes, by providing us with acts of kindness to perform. When we give to others, we should not imagine that we are helping the person in need.
All the blessings that HaShem bestows upon the benefactor emanates from the beneficiary!
As the Midrash states, “More than the wealthy man helps the poor person, the poor person helps the wealthy man!”
When you give charity, envision that the recipient is blessing you!
(Based on Ohr RaShaz, the Alter of Kelm)
Have a Wonderful Shabbos!
