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Beit Midrash
- Jewish Laws and Thoughts
- Middot - Character Traits
- Charity and Lending Money
Ephraim had just located the leftover brownies in the refrigerator, when he heard yet another knock. He opened his front door, and dutifully placed a coin into the extended palm. He quickly shut the door, retrieved the brownies, and sank into the couch. "This is just ridiculous!" he muttered, through mouthfuls of chocolate frosting. "I’m all for charity, but this is just getting out of hand!"
The next morning after davening, Ephraim decided that it was time to take action. He sauntered up to the front of the shul, banged his hand ceremoniously on the bima, and began addressing the assembled. "I’m sure you’ve noticed that, lately, we’ve been getting a lot of collectors coming around here. Of course, charity is a wonderful and very important thing. But having all these out-of-town collectors coming to our neighborhood is hurting the locals! We should be giving priority to our neighbors in need. I think it’s time that we decide, as a group, that we’re not giving to people who don’t live here. If we all do it together, those collectors will get the message, and stop coming around here!"
Ephraim’s soliloquy caught the attention of the congregants, who all began to discuss his proposal, simultaneously. The assembled hurried to express agreement, dissension, and confusion. It was at that moment that the rabbi walked in. The people turned to the rabbi and asked whether the Torah provides guidance on this matter.
What do you think? Should the community ban outside charity collectors, and only give money to locals?
Answer of Rabbi Avigdor Nebenzahl, shlita:
A similar story took place in the time of the Vilna Gaon. The leaders were concerned, because an influx of outside collectors had led to a decrease in donations to the local poor. A debate arose among the community leaders, as to whether outside charity collectors should be allowed.
The Vilna Gaon had informed the town leaders, some time ago, that he preferred to be left out of matters of communal policy, as his extensive learning schedule left little time for anything else. He had told the leaders that he only wished to be consulted regarding the implementation of new policies.
The leaders approached the Gaon, and informed him that there was a new policy which they were considering implementing. They stated that they would like to prohibit the local community members from giving charity to itinerant collectors, in order to ensure that local funds would only go to support local causes.
Upon hearing the policy under consideration, the Gaon unceremoniously stood up, and walked out of the room! The community leaders were astounded.
One of the leaders respectfully approached the Gaon and stated "The Rav instructed us to request guidance regarding implementation of new policies."
"True," the Gaon responded, "but this policy isn’t new. It was implemented years ago, by the people of Sedom! The people of Sedom refused to give to outsiders!"
In practice, there is an obligation to give residents of one’s city more than one gives to residents of another city. However, one must give a small amount to residents of other cities, as well.
It is important to note that sometimes the gabbais of a shul will decide to disallow the placement of a tzedaka box of an outside organization on the shul premises. This is permitted. However, it is forbidden to disallow people from collecting charity in a shul.
In summary:It is forbidden to prevent people from collecting charity. To act in such a manner would be imitating the actions of the people of Sedom. However, one must give local poor people more than one gives to outside collectors.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.