THE END OF POVERTY IS IN YOUR HANDS

30 Av 5779 / 30-31 August 2019

Parashat Re'eh – Rosh Chodesh Elul
Torah: Deuteronomy 11:26 - 16:17

Maftir: Numbers 28:9-15
Haftarah: Isaiah 66:1-24 (Shabbat Rosh Chodesh)

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THE END OF POVERTY IS IN YOUR HANDS

"However, there shall be no needy among you ..... If there should be a needy person among you … you shall not harden your heart or close your hand against your needy brother ... For the needy shall never cease to exist in the land; therefore, I command you saying, 'You shall open your hand to your brother, to your poor and to your needy in your land.'" Deut. 15: 4, 7, 11

What is Moses trying to teach us here? In two brief paragraphs, he tells us there will be no needy people, then tells us what to do should there be needy people, then says there always will be needy people. The answer is found, in part, in the verses I did not quote. If only you hearken to the voice of the Lord, observe this commandment, etc. - then there will be no needy. So why does he conclude by saying that the needy will always exist?

Moses is a cynic. He suspects that not everyone will obey the commandments to give tzedakah (charity, from the Hebrew root meaning "justice" or "righteousness") or to lend under a social regime in which all debts are forgiven every seven years. He's correct, of course, which is unfortunate. It means that those who do give, who do obey these commandments (and the related commandments concerning corners of the field, tithing, etc.), bear an unfair share of society's burden.

In Psalms 41:2 we are told: “Fortunate is one who is thoughtful to the poor." According to Rabbi Yehudah Nachshoni, one who observes these laws "cannot live by exploitation or by using money for evil purposes." To him, it is self-evident. This is not feel-good pop psychology. Money is morally neutral. It's what we do with it that counts. I learned the first time I took a nickel to the candy store that spending money is a zero sum game. If we use our money for evil, it does no one any good; if we use it for good, we cannot possibly use it for evil.

This is easy enough to prove to yourself. If you have a problem with tobacco, gambling, drugs or alcohol, or any other bad habit, every time you are about to spend money on it, drop the money in a tzedakah box instead. It’s a double exercise in self-control – first, willingness to part with your money for a good cause; second, ridding oneself of a bad habit. You'll be surprised to see how much good can come from avoiding evil. No bad habits? Create a good habit. Anybody reading this can afford to put something in a tzedakah box on a regular basis. Prove Moses wrong! We can end poverty not with fists, but only with open hands.

Shabbat Shalom! Chodesh Elul Tov!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom

Temple B'nai Hayim/Congregation Beth Meier

Blogging at: http://rav-rich.blogspot.com

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הַלּוֹמֵד מִכָּל אָדָם  ?אֵיזֶהוּ חָכָם

Who is wise?  One who learns from every person.

Ben Zoma - Pirkei Avot 4:1

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Candle lighting: 7:03 pm

Friday: Shabbat Evening Service – 6:30 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.

Saturday: Torah study/breakfast – 8:45 am. Women’s Rosh Chodesh Shabbat Morning Service – 9:30 am. Services led by the women of our community. A special Kiddush lunch follows. Contact Carol Herskowitz or Lynn Kronzek for details.

Tuesday: Lunch and Learn – 12:00 noon.

Friday, September 6: Shabbat Evening Service – 6:30 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.

Saturday, September 7: Shabbat Morning Service – 9:30 am. Kiddush lunch follows.

Sunday, September 8:  Religious School – 9:30 am.

This d’var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Leah bat Sarah Imanu, Sarah bat Devorah, Susan Arbetman, Ken Bitticks, Mark Brownstein, Jerry Daniels, Maya Fersht (Maya bat Esther), Dr. Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben Gittel), Annabelle Flom (Channah Bella bat Kreina), Bernard Garvin, Leah Granat, Carol Herskowitz, Gabor Klein, Philip Kovac, Philip Kronzek, Tonya Kronzek (Zlata Malkah bat Sarah Imanu), Marilyn Lee, David Marks, Sandra Raab, Marguerite Rassiner, Josef Sands, Debra Schugar Strauss (Devorah bat Chaya Feiga), Helen Schugar (Chaya Feiga bat Kreina), Bernie Seeman, and William Sragow.

Please let me know if there is anyone you would like to add to this list or if there is anyone who may be removed from this list.

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We are looking for volunteers for services: chant Torah or Haftarah, daven, lead English readings, deliver d’rashot, and have aliyot and other Torah/bimah honors. Training available! Contact Rabbi Flom by e-mail for details and to sign up!

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