04 Aug RE’EH: GIVING THE RIGHT WAY

The Torah in Parashat
Re’eh commands
us to give charity. It
instructs that when there
is a person in need, “you
shall surely give to him, and your heart shall
not feel bad when you give to him, because
on account of this matter G-d shall bless
you…” (15:10).
The plain meaning of the word “Biglal” (“on
account of”) in this verse is that Hashem
rewards those who generously give charity
with great material blessings.
The Gemara (Shabbat 151b), however,
teaches that this word can be read as an
allusion to a “Galgal” – “wheel.” The
“wheel of fortune,” the Gemara states, is
always turning. Those who enjoy financial
success today can lose their fortunes in an
instant, and those who currently struggle
can suddenly see great blessing. The Torah
therefore urges us to show compassion to the
needy and lend them the assistance that they
so desperately need, because we never know
when the tables might be turned and we will
come to them for assistance.
The Kabbalists add yet another interpretation
of this verse, reading the word “Biglal” as
an allusion to “Gilgul” – the reincarnation of

souls. As we saw, this verse begins by urging
us to not only give charity, but to do so
wholeheartedly, with pure intentions – “and
your heart shall not feel bad when you give
to him.” We should give not begrudgingly,
because of pressure, or for the sake of our
reputations, but rather because we sincerely
wish to help our fellow Jew in need. The
Torah thus warns that if we give with the
wrong intentions, then “Biglal Ha’dabar
Ha’zeh” – we will be forced to return to the
world in a different “Gilgul.”
The Kabbalists develop this concept further
based on the Mishna’s teaching in Pirkeh
Abot (4:11) that each Misva that a person
performs creates for him a “Praklit” – an
angel that advocates for him before the
Heavenly Tribunal. The best thing we can
do to earn G-d’s protection is perform more
Misvot. However, just as a human being has
both a body and a soul, angels likewise have
two components – a physical component
and an inner, spiritual component. Kabbalah
teaches that the Misva act that we perform
creates the angel’s physical being, whereas
our pure intentions when performing the
Misva create its “soul.” In order for our
Misva to have the effect of creating a
“Praklit,” it must be complete; the action

must be performed properly, and with the
right intention. When we perform a Misva
for ulterior motives, although we are
credited with the fulfillment of a Misva, it
does not create a “Praklit” that can advocate
on our behalf.
The Kabbalists thus teach that if a person
gives charity for the wrong reasons, he
will return to the world in another life as a
pauper. Poor people genuinely wish they had
the ability to give charity and help those in
need. And thus, in this second “Gilgul,” the
person will have the thought and the desire
to give Sedaka. This yearning to give charity
will supply the sincere intention that was
lacking during his first sojourn in this world
and will combine with the charity he gave to
comprise a complete Misva that will create
a complete angel who will advocate on his
behalf.
We will soon begin the month of Elul,
when we prepare for the judgment of Rosh
Hashanah and Yom Kippur. As we know,
charity is one of the most effective means
we have to ensure a favorable judgment,
and it is therefore customary to increase
our charitable contributions during Elul and
during the days in between Rosh Hashanah
and Yom Kippur. This is among the best

things we can do to bring “Praklitim” –
“defense lawyers” – with us to the “trial” so
they could plead on our behalf. However, in
order for this to work, our motives must be
sincere. We need to put aside our ego, our
preoccupation with fame and prestige, our
concern for our reputation, our obsession
with the way other people see us – and do
the right thing precisely because it is the
right thing. When we give Sedaka for impure
motives, we fulfill a Misva – but a deficient
Misva. For our charity to be whole, we
need to give with sincerity, without trying
to impress or be noticed. Our Sedaka will
then create perfect angels who will stand
before G-d and plead our case, so that we
will be blessed with a year filled with joy,
happiness, peace and good fortune, Amen.