Subject: In Memory of Baruch Yitzchak ben Yirmiyahu (Barry Pessin)
From: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com>
Date: 3/11/2016, 4:25 AM
To: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com>
BCC: menachem@alonsystems.com
The Mishna in Avos (3;7) says: Rabbi Elazar ish Bartosa said: Give him from that which is His, because you and yours belong to Him.
The Tiferes Yisroel explains, that Hashem gives a person many gifts in this world, he may be wealthy, smart, funny, kindhearted etc. All of these gifts a person should realize that they are just given to him as a loan from Hashem and He expects us to use these wisely by giving back to Him and our fellow man. A person shouldn't be stingy when giving charity because he should realize that the money isn't really his. He shouldn't refrain from helping his fellow man because he should realize his entire being belongs in reality to Hashem "you and yours belong to Him". When we have this realization it becomes much easier to give and part with that which we feel "is ours".
In the neighborhood of Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Aurebach ztl, (one of the leading rabbis of the past generation) lived a poor widow who was sick and need to undergo a very expensive, urgent surgery. R'Shlomo Zalman decided to go around with his gabbai through the neighborhood to attempt to raise the necessary funds. They split up and when they met back up they calculated that they were only successful in raising half of the required sum. R'Shlomo Zalman without any other choice decide to go speak with the doctor who was supposed to perform the surgery. He went and told the Dr. the story and said they have half of the money needed. The Dr. was known as a very mean man and not the most generous but R'Shlomo Zalman told the Dr I have a business deal for you. We will pay for half the surgery and you will be our partner in the other half of this great mitzvah and perform the procedure for half price. The dr.thought for a few long moments and then stretched out his hand and told R'Shlomo Zalman, you have a deal! Everyone did their part to give back realizing whatever they had was really what belonged to Hashem.