April 26, 2018 / 11 Iyar, 5778 • Parshat Acharei & Kedoshim
Issue 505
Dedicated in loving memory of Mrs. Miriam Friedman

When Giving, Give of Yourself

Rabbi Elazar of Bartota said:
Give to Him of that which is His,
for you and whatever is yours are His....

Pirkei Avot 3:7


Give that which is His

Do not begrudge giving to charity, since you are not giving away your possessions but rather those of G-d (Meiri). And give humbly, since the fact that you own money to give away--and that you have the free choice to do so (Avodat Yisrael)--are powers granted to you by G-d (The Rebbe).

For you and whatever is yours are His

The Mishnah does not only speak of giving money, it speaks of giving of yourself, as well. Realize that your entire existence depends upon G-d--that you and your entire reality would be nonexistent without Him. You will then be more willing to sacrifice your own comforts and desires for the sake of G-dly ideals. Recognize that all you posses--wealth, strength, wisdom, artistic talents, etc.--are a gift from G-d and that it is only proper that you use them to serve G-d. (Midrash Shmuel, Tiferet Yisrael).

Resolve to give generously--it will happen!

Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak of Lubavitch used to say: When you make a decision to give to charity and to help another person generously--even if your decision does not reflect your available means--new channels are created on High to produce all that is needed for the fulfillment of your good resolution. (Igrot Kodesh)

From Kehot's

Pirkei Avot

Holtzberg Memorial Edition