- Sections
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah: The following are the conditions of happiness: one can continue to survive; the existence is pleasant; it will be elevating; it will last for eternity; his existence will be elevated to a higher level than any of the previous conditions capture.
These are the ideas that the gemara highlights for one who gives tzedaka properly. Feeding him is representative of taking care of the needs that allow him to survive. Giving him charm refers to the pleasantness of his existence, as when he has nice additions to his existence, he is able to display charm. Doing good for the person implies that things are better than they needed to be. The matter of inheritance means that there will not be an end to his existence, which is the foundation of eternity. The crown for the world to come is about the highest level of them all.
All of these attainments, which are full of the light of the holy of holies, continuously flow from the light of tzedaka carried out in the ideal and holiest way, as is feasible when a Jew connects himself to the Name of Hashem.