Перкей авот: психология цдаки

FOR THE ELEVATION OF SOULS: SHMARYE BEN HILEL AND MAZANTU BAT SIMCHA There are four types of human behavior when it comes to giving to the poor. One who wants to give himself, but does not want others to give, is hostile to others; one who wants others to give, but not himself, is his own enemy; one who gives himself and encourages others to give is pious; one who neither gives himself nor wants others to give is sinful. 📜 Talmudic Analysis: The Social Psychology of Tzedakah "He who wants to give himself, but does not want others to give"—such a person is zeli eino ("his eye is evil"), hostile to others. Rambam explains: he wants to monopolize the merit of charity, so that all the honors and blessings accrue to himself alone. Rashi adds that his hostility stems from envy: he cannot bear to see anyone else helping the poor. This is a hidden form of pride and greed, for in reality, he gives, but with impure motives. "He wants others to give, but does not give himself" is ra sha lo ("evil to oneself"), an enemy to oneself. He understands the value of tzedakah and is glad that the poor receive help, but he himself shirks the mitzvah. In doing so, he deprives himself of the enormous spiritual benefit that comes from giving from one's own labor and wealth. The Talmud says: "He who closes his eyes to tzedakah is like an idolater." Such a person does not sin against society, but destroys his own soul—he does not acquire merit in the afterlife, although he could. "He gives himself and encourages others to give" is a hasid (pious person). He does not limit himself to fulfilling the mitzvah, but becomes a catalyst for good. Rambam, in Mishneh Torah (Laws of Giving to the Poor 10:4), says, "One who forces others to give is greater than one who gives himself." Such a person attains the highest level—he spreads the mitzvah, drawing others into holiness. This is reminiscent of the principle of "merit through many." Such a person's destiny is blessing in this world and preserved merit in the future. "He neither gives himself nor wants others to give"—this is a rasha (sinner). This is even worse than the first type. There, at least, there is a desire to give, albeit with envy. Here, however, there is pure destructiveness: he does not do good and actively hinders good. Such a person is the target of a ha-ra (evil eye) on the entire world. The Midrash says: such a person is like someone who wants to extinguish the light for everyone, because he himself lives in darkness. He is sinful before G-d, before society, and before himself. The Talmud emphasizes that tzedakah is not an act of mercy, but an upper channel of blessing for the entire world. If he doesn't give, he closes this channel. 🙏🏻 Telegram https://t.me/alexartarovski 💳 🙏🏻 Zen https://dzen.ru/alexartovski Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ravv_alex?i... You can support our channel with likes, reposts, and payments: +7(915) 336 8299 (Sberbank and Tinkoff)