In this week’s Parsha (Bereishis, 18:19), Hashem states regarding Avraham Avinu, "For I have loved him, because he commands his children and his household after him that they keep the way of Hashem that they do Charity and Justice...." As this week’s Parsha contains so many aspects of Chesed, and describes Avraham as instructing his children to follow in his ways in this regard, we provide below several important teachings relating to Tzedaka, found in the Sefer Derech Emunah by HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, Shlita (in the Section entitled Hilchos Matnos Aniyim, Chapters 7 and 10):

a. When giving Tzedaka, as with any other Mitzvah, one should do it "B’Lev Shalem U’Vtuv Levav--with a complete and happy heart."

b. The Mekubalim write that one should give Tzedaka every day, and the Arizal adds that one should give Tzedaka standing and with his right hand (even if he is a lefty!)

c. If a person gives Tzedaka to someone before being asked, he merits Hashem taking care of his needs before being asked.

d. One should give Tzedaka before going on his way, as the Pasuk states "Tzedek Lefanav Yehalech, VaYosem LeDerech Pa’amav--Righteousness will walk before him, and set his footsteps on the way." (Tehillim 85:14)

e. From the money that one gives to Tzedaka, a garment is fashioned for him in Olam Haba which protects him from danger and takes him out of Gehennom.

f. The fourth level of Gehennom is called "Tit HaYavan", and there all those who treated poor people harshly are judged.

g. Tzedaka pushes aside "Gezeiros Kashos--difficult decrees," and turns the Midas HaDin--the measure of strict Divine Justice--into Divine Mercy.

h. The minhag to give Tzedaka for the deceased is an ancient minhag, and helps the neshamos attain atonement, for the Heavenly Court rules that if he were still alive he would have given this Tzedaka, as well....

i. One should take to heart that just as one asks from Hashem that He should provide Parnassa to him, and asks of Hashem that He listen to his cries, so, too, should the person listen to the cries of the poor.

j. If one collects Tzedaka for others he saves his future generations from becoming poor (the middah k’neged middah is apparent).

Hakhel Note: Chazal (Gittin 7A) teach "If one sees that his Parnassa is tight (mezonosav metzumzamim), he should give Tzedaka.... One who gives Tzedaka can be compared to the situation of two ewes attempting to pass over the river--the one that is shorn passes through, and the one that is not shorn does not. In the same vein, one who shears off from his money and gives Tzedaka with it, will be successful!

May we follow in the footsteps of Avraham Avinu, bringing blessing on the world--and on ourselves!!

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Hakhel MIS

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