Behar: Putting the “We” in Charity
I once read an excerpt from a talk given by Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik where he contrasts the root of the word charity with the root of the Jewish word tzedakah. Charity is derived from the Latin word caritas, loving kindness. Whereas tzedakah is derived from tzedek justice. His point is that a Jew is obligated to give because he understands that money is directly apportioned by G-d. A Jew who has the means has a great responsibility to administer that money the right way. R’ Ovadia Sforno (1475-1550), simply referred to as Sforno, offers a unique lens to better understand this responsibility.
One of the primary sources for the mitzvah of tzedaka is in parshas Behar. The Torah describes an unfortunate common occurrence where a member of the community is yamuch – reduced, financially at risk. The Torah directs us to help this individual get back on his feet by providing him with charity and free loans. The Torah then concludes with a verse that addresses the entire community, “I am Hashem your G-d, who has taken you (eschem) out of Egypt …to be for you (lachem) a G-d”. It seems that the mitzvah of tzedaka is somehow linked to our nationhood and our national commitment to Hashem. This act of tzedaka contributes to making Hashem “Our G-d.”
The Sforno explains that the ideals of the Torah cannot be attained by individuals alone. Rather, the “mission” of the Torah is designed to be fulfilled communally, by all of us – together. We are a team unified by our charge to accomplish G-d’s purpose of creation. When a member of our community is in difficult straits, our mission is jeopardized. With this in mind, we can see a clear link between our glorious national mission and the mitzvah of tzedaka. Tzedaka transcends the individual mandate to give. We have a responsibility to ensure that every Jew is well suited to perform their duties. To achieve our national mission and indeed make Hashem, our G-d, we need to ensure everyone in our community is taken care of.
