Hi,

Hope all is well.

Here’s one of the most amazing ethical commandments in the Torah.

It’s talking to a farmer harvesting his field.

He can’t harvest the whole thing.  Even though it’s his.

And even though he worked so hard for it!

The Torah says he has to leave a corner of the field for the poor. (Leviticus, 19:9-10)

It’s a beautiful Mitzvah.

And an important reminder.

Because we work hard.  And we want to enjoy the fruits of our labor.

And the Torah says that’s fine.

You earned it and you deserve to enjoy it.

… But don’t get caught up in yourself.

Whenever you are blessed – do something to help others.

… It sounds very beautiful.

But practically speaking?

How much does the farmer have to leave over?

Just a corner.

Even a very small corner!

It doesn’t seem like an efficient system to provide for the poor!

The answer?

There have to be separate “campaigns” to raise food for the poor.

The goal of this Mitzvah is to create an attitude.

That when we celebrate our success, we think of the less fortunate.

… It’s like the Pushka.  The Tzedakah (charity) box.

It used to be in every Jewish home.

We’d drop in a few pennies here and there.

And we’d give our children a few pennies to put in.

‘Here.  Do a mitzvah.  Give some Tzedakah.’

… But think about it.

Was the budget of any institution ever dented by the money in the pushka?

Probably not.

But it did something to us.  And to our children.

It got us used to giving Tzedakah.  Made it a part of our life.

It made us into givers.

… If you don’t have one, it’s something I highly recommend.

Many Jewish organizations gladly provide a pushka.

It’s a small thing.

But it can make a big difference in our home.

All the best,