Our forefather, Avraham was known for
his tremendous Chessed, the extraordinary acts of kindness he performed with
the people of his generation. Our parsha opens with one such example, where
only three days after a painful Bris Milah, Avraham sat out in the hot sun
waiting for potential guests to walk by so he could provide for them.
Eventually, Hashem sent three angels disguised as humans to satisfy Avraham. Besides
for this, the angels each had an additional mission, to heal Avraham, to inform
him that he would soon have a son, and the last one was sent to destroy the
city of Sodom.
What exactly did the people of Sodom do
to merit total destruction? Chazal teach us that among
their many sins, Sodom forbid any type of “tzedakah,” charity or kindness, in
the city. Everyone was expected to provide for themselves without relying on
anyone else. They forbid guests from outside the city as well since it violated
this principle. This description is in stark contrast to the attitude of Avraham,
so well-illustrated at the beginning of the parsha. But why would ignoring
these principles warrant complete erasure from the Earth? What is so important
about tzedakah that singled out Sodom from any number of evil societies?
Rav Samson Rafael Hirsch explains the
mindset behind the mitzvah of charity. Hashem tells us to treat those around us
with two basic principles, Mishpat and Tzedakah, Justice and Charity. (See
Hoshea 14:10.) These became the guiding principles for those who would follow
Hashem, namely, Avraham and his descendants (us!). What exactly constitutes
justice and charity? Rav Hirsch explains that justice is when one man can
demand something from another because it is already coming to him; it is
something he deserves, that belongs to him. Charity is different but not exactly
what we would expect. It is something which I cannot demand from anyone, but I
am allowed to expect it since Hashem has made it clear that it will be coming
to me. If we understand this principle correctly, it totally changes our
perspective on giving charity.
The normal belief of every individual is
that whatever money he has belongs to him. He worked hard and sacrificed for
it, and while the money is truly a blessing from Hashem, now that he has it, it
is his to do with as he pleases. He believes that giving charity is important
since it teaches him to be giving and provides the opportunity to help others,
but any charity he gives should be considered as a gift coming from his own pocket.
The explanation Rav Hirsch though, sinks this understanding.
On the surface, Rav Hirsch makes no
sense; obviously I can’t demand the money since it’s not mine, but hen how can
I expect it to come? I have no connection to it! The true understanding of
money is that I work hard and sacrifice for it, and Hashem blesses me with it
and allows me to enjoy it; but at the same time He has given me an important
job. The money is not truly mine, it’s still Hashem’s; I am simply His steward
in spreading it around to those who need it, to those who have not been blessed
by Him as I have. And as long as I continue to do my job properly, He will
continue to bless me.
This was Sodom’s big mistake. They
looked at everything they had as the product of their own sweat and tears. Even
if Hashem had blessed them, at this point the money belonged to them. What
right did anyone else have to take part? But Avraham knew better. He was one of
the richest men in the world, but he knew that he was only a distribution
center for Hashem. While he was able to enjoy his money himself, it was just as
important for him to share it with the rest of society, all of whom were creations
of Hashem. He was so enthusiastic in his duties that he even sat outside in the
blazing heat just three days after having surgery.
This is not simply a vort from Rav
Hirsch on the pasuk, this is actually how we pasken the halacha! This attitude
towards chessed and tzedakah was the defining attribute of Avraham; it was what
made him the Father of the Jewish People and was the main attribute which he
passed down to us. We must be sure to emulate him and realize that all we have
in this world is a gift from Hashem, given to us only because we are
responsible to provide for those around us as well. That way, we can all enjoy
the blessings He has bestowed upon us.
Shabbat Shalom!
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