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The Coronavirus pandemic is certainly a health issue; it is important to avoid contracting or transmitting it, which are Torah obligations. But the period has been challenging for us in two other ways.
Financial crisis – Many families lost their livelihoods. Our non-profit enterprises, whether tzedaka or Torah organizations, have had a harder time raising money from their communities and from the government.
Social crisis – Many people suffered emotionally because of pressure, whether financially related or due to social distancing and difficulty in international travel. The long period of curtailed physical contact with family left scars on those in need of it.
Parashat R’ei addresses these two areas of human concern, as we will now explain. The Torah (Devarim 14:22-23) describes the mitzva of ma’aser sheni. 9% of the overall agricultural produce is set aside to eat when the family goes to Yerushalayim for the regalim. The Ramban explains that the purpose is, as stated, "So that he should learn to fear Hashem," because the national teachers are prevalent there to teach him. The Hadar Z’keinim continues that the hope was that people might even stay after the chagim to learn more. So going to Yerushalayim is not just about bringing korbanot but also about taking a break in the daily activities to grow from spiritual and emotional perspectives in a holy place with holy people. This is a wise use of the significant tithe of the produce. Today as well, one of the important jobs of "Torah professionals" is to be concerned with the emotional health of their students/congregants.
The section on tithes uses the language of "aser te’aser" (you must certainly tithe), but Chazal point out that it can be read homiletically as give tithes to enrich yourself or so that you should not be missing anything (Tanchuma, R’ei 18). Indeed one who gives gains more than what he gives, as he is promised divine blessing. Especially in difficult financial times, we must encourage acting on the value of being there to help those who are in (greater) need. When giving tzedaka, one is even allowed to test Hashem to see if he will get the blessing, even though such an exercise is usually forbidden (Ta’anit 9a).
The Rabbis expanded the idea of tithing from agricultural produce in Eretz Yisrael to profits from the world of commerce wherever one is. It is a great honor to support those in need, especially when they are those who are toiling in Torah study, as these are people who are or will be strengthening the spiritual and emotional health of the nation and serving as role models for serving Hashem.
Let us pray that we will be among those who have the privilege to give and help provide for not only the physical but also the spiritual/emotional needs of our brethren, both on an individual and on a national level, and all of this in the "ways of pleasantness."
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
