At the beginning of Parashat Ki Tisa, the Baal HaTurim mentions an interesting palindrome (a word, a phrase or sequence that reads the same backward or forward, such as madam, civic or kayak) with a message.
He says the word ונתנו V’Natenu /And you (should) give you, is the same when read backwards “And you give,” meaning that it’s not just a one time thing- “And you give and you give and you give…” and it comes back to you.
“This tells me,”he writes, “that whatever man gives to charity comes back to him, and he doesn't lose anything out from this.”
There is a Gemara that tells us that our expenses for holidays, Shabbat and tuition are not part of our regular expense accounts. Furthermore, the Ritva says this doesn't only apply to those common expenses. Rather, he says, all religious activities come from our ‘slush fund.’ Of course, you have to believe that, and that's where Bitachon comes in. You have to rely on God, that He will take care of you, and believe it.
In the introduction to Shaar Bitachon, the Hovot Halevavot writes that one of the great benefits of Bitachon in the area of religion is that “One who relies is quick to fulfill his responsibilities to God, and to people from his money, with a lot of desire and a spirit of generosity.”
So, Bitachon allows us to spend our money and give it, because we realize we're not losing, we're gaining. It comes back to us. It grows. It's a great investment. It's putting it in a safe place.
And with that introduction, I will give everyone the opportunity to get back and gain from your investment. B’Ezrat Hashem, this week will be dedicated to inspiring us to give Sedaka and to realizing its importance. This is the time of year of Kimcha D’Pischa, which means we have to give to the poor to make it easier for them to make Pesach. Otherwise, how will they do it? It's our responsibility to help.
And so, every year, at this time, I collect for an organization called Lev Chana. We give out clothing cards to families in need. This year, I have a list of 63 widows and orphans, and B’Ezrat Hashem we will give out these clothing cards to close to 200 families. This costs money.
You're going to have the opportunity to partner up with us in giving out the funds. It’s very easy:
-Just click on this link https://www.rayze.it/levchana/
-You can also Zelle Rabbisutton@gmail.com
- send an email to rabbisutton@gmail.com and we'll bill you,
- or mail a check to:
1059 East 10th St
Brooklyn, New York, 11230
made out to Lev Chana.
As I said, this week, we will discuss the the topic of giving Sedaka. You don't have to only give it to this charity. It's not the only charity, it’s just the one that I'm trying to raise for. It was started in memory of my mother-in-law, Mrs. Chana Scherman, a’h.
Every year, I do my hishtadlut, and Baruch Hashem, in previous years, people out there have been helpful.
And remember, this lesson doesn’t just apply to Sedaka- it’s for all the Pesach expenses. Meat is expensive, chicken is expensive and Matzot are expensive. But you have to realize and believe from the bottom of your heart, that there is separate account for this. Tell yourself that there's a separate account.
The money is going to come in to cover that. You have to rely on Hashem that He’s going to do that. He says when it comes to Shabbat and Yom Tov, “Borrow and I'll pay you back.”
So this is a great opportunity, not just for Sedaka. The rabbis tell us that it’s one of the great opportunities to practice bitachon, because we have something specifically guaranteed. Of course, the Hovot Halevavot discusses at length that we always have a guarantee from God, but when it comes to the holidays, it's especially apropos. God is telling us, “Go out there, spend the money and I will cover it.”
How? It'll come in from somewhere. Hashem has His ways. People are always telling me stories about how they did this and suddenly something came from here or they got money back from there… Hashem has His ways.
But, and there's a big but- you must rely on Him.
You must rely on Him.
And if you rely on Him, as always, He comes through.
So remember Lev Chana and please, do your best. Click on the link https://www.rayze.it/levchana/
Zelle, mail, whatever you'd like.
Have a wonderful day,
and Tizku Lemitzvot.