In this week's parsha (in Israel Behar), we read about the obligation to help our fellow Jews, and family in particular, when they fall on hard economic times. Whether this means to give them tzedakah, help them to re-establish themselves financially or by extending them a loan (interest free), we are commanded to do what we can to help.

Our Sages deal with a somewhat philosophical question, if G-d didn't want these people to be poor then why didn't He provide them with more money? The answer given is that it is in order to test and give the more fortunate Jews the opportunity to fulfill the mitzvah and to help out their brother.

When we may be approached directly or indirectly to help other people (especially people we know or are related to), we might have a tendency to point a finger. We begin to analyze the person's life and we can point to any number of mistakes, character flaws or other reasons that the person is at "fault" for their situation. It may be they made mistakes, but we all make mistakes. Just because their mistakes caused their financial collapse and our's didn't doesn't mean that we can be callous. We should realize whatever we have is a gift from Hashem and should use it to help others as much as possible.   

It is hard to be sensitive to this as most people associate and live around people that are in the same financial status (more or less). We must open our eyes and hearts to the less fortunate Jews and do what we can to help.

May G-d Bless us all with the financial means and a sensitive heart to always help the less fortunate.

Shabbat Shalom,

Heath