Subject: In Memory of Baruch Yitzchak ben Yirmiyahu (Barry Pessin)
From: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com>
Date: 5/19/2017, 5:13 AM
To: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com>
BCC: menachem@alonsystems.com
The Mishna in Avos (5;13) says one who says others should give charity but not him (as he himself refrains from doing so) has a begrudging eye (when it comes to his own wealth).
Although it is a great mitzvah to encourage and persuade others to give charity and donate to worthy causes, a person should be willing to forgo of his own money as well to support these causes. Obviously each person according to their financial ability, but if a person doesn't want to contribute his own money to the cause then he is considered as having a begrudging eye.
We are all familiar with the saying "put your money where your mouth is", if you want other people to give of their money you should be willing to give of your own as well.
The sefer Chayel Yisroel: writes that the words of the Mishna allude to an interesting reality. Many people don't give any money or very little to charity during their lifetime. Instead they hoard all of their wealth and don't help needy family, friends or worthy organizations. In the end, these people are left with large sums of money. As these people reach the end of their life they realize (hopefully) that the merit of charity will help them greatly in the world to come. They therefore instruct their children or heirs to distribute a certain amount of their wealth. This person fulfills the words of the Mishna "others should give, but not him" as he no longer can give of his own money, others (his heirs) will give instead of him while he loses the merit of performing this mitzvah himself.
It is worthwhile to note that some people don't want to give money because they are stingy or love wealth and see giving it away as a waste. It is their constant desire for money that keeps them from giving. This type of person needs to realize the real value of money versus the tremendous mitzvah of tzedakah.
There is a second type of person who isn't driven by a desire to have lots of money, but simply out of fear that they will need the money themselves. Obviously there is room, to a certain extent, for this consideration as our Sages say a person should not give more than 1/5th of their money away as doing so may cause him to fall into poverty himself (there is an exception for extremely wealth people). But this fear is a result of a person's lack of faith in G-d the Supreme Provider. If a person has faith he will meticulously tithe his money and provide for the less fortunate, knowing that Hashem will Provide for him as well. In fact, the Prophet tells us that this is the way attain wealth, by giving charity Hashem will surly return the blessing upon us.
