by Rabbi David Hanania Pinto Shlita
It is written, “When you lend money to any of My people” [Mishpatim 22:24]
Here we see an allusion to what our Sages have said in the Gemara: “Great is tzedakah, for it brings the Redemption closer” [Bava Batra 10a].
The expression, “When you lend money to My people” has the same gematria [numerical value] as: “I will quickly send you Mashiach the son of David.”
– Imrot Tehorot
Niiiiice!
ReplyDeleteWhat am I writing wrong. I get 1163 for אם כסף תלוה את אמי
ReplyDeleteאני מהר אשלח לך משיח בן דוד 1119
Goldie, I don't know the exact Hebrew words as he only gave the English. Maybe someone else will know.
ReplyDeleteI thought tzedaka is ‘without return’, meaning to “give” without strings, which also includes other forms of tzedaka such as kindness and assistance without “receiving”. While lending money is good, giving is better, such as the org. Chaim v”Chessed which collects funds to give to poor, ailing and other needy persons.
ReplyDeleteThat is something we can all do at no expense to us but with great reward in Shamayim. Rabbi Ginsburgh spoke about this last evening. We here on earth in this world of “doing” much is given to us with the midda of rachmonos, while in Shamayim we are worthy only thru merit. So doing tzedaka without return gains us that spiritual currency of “merit.” More valuable than gold.
See Rashi there: When you lend money to My people: Rabbi Ishmael says: Every אִם in the Torah is optional except three, and this is one of them. -[From Mechilta. אִם usually means “if,” which refers to something optional, denoting an incident that may or may not occur. Rashi on Exod. 20:22 explains that in this case, lending money to the needy is obligatory, as in Deut. 15:8. Therefore, in this verse, אִם means “when.”]
ReplyDeleteRashi cont.
ReplyDeleteto My people: [If a member of] My people [i.e., an Israelite,] and a gentile [apply for a loan], [the member of] My people takes preference; [if] a poor person and a rich person [apply for a loan], the poor person takes preference; [if] the poor of your city and the poor of another city [apply for a loan], the poor of your city take preference (Mechilta, B.M. 71a), and this is its meaning: “When you lend money,” lend it to “My people” and not to a gentile, and to which of My people? “To the poor person.” And to which poor person? To the one who is “with you.” [I.e., if you have enough money to lend to only one person, lend it to a Jew rather than to a non-Jew. Even if the gentile will pay interest, and you are not allowed to take interest from the Jew, you must lend the money to the Jew (B.M. 71a).] Another meaning: to My people: That you shall not behave toward him [the borrower] in a demeaning manner when you lend to him, for he is [a member of] My people. -[From Tanchuma 15]
Message from Menachem Robinson's daughter: If everyone can have my father Menachem ben Rivka in their prayers today. He was rushed back to the ICU today. Thank you
ReplyDeleteHere we have a good connection. This is what Rebbe has said, that acts of kindness will bring Mashiach closer.
ReplyDeleteLending might also be regarded as an act of kindness, but giving it's a lot better. The time is short until the End, so why landing with an expectation to receive back from people, while you can give and receive rewards from HaShem?
The idea revolves around the accumulation of merits. And it's fundamentally important to have merits before Mashiach's arrival. There are relevant comments on Yaak's post upon the timing, and well supported. צ.
May Rav MEnachem ben Rivka have a refuah shelaimoh!!!!
ReplyDeletePlease also add Michoel ben Esther Rivka for a refuah shleimah.... another one in intensive care, this time with a brain tumor.
ReplyDeleteWe need Moshiach now.
For Yaak's post mentioned above see:
ReplyDeletehttp://yeranenyaakov.blogspot.com.au/2018/02/rav-fish-on-5778-being.html
Also see Mashiach is Coming: Lending money
ReplyDelete