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KOSHER DELIGHT - YOUR JEWISH ONLINE MAGAZINE!
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KD MAGAZINE!
ב"ה
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Parshat Mishpatim -
Shekalim |
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Prerequisite
For Helping Others
By Rabbi Chaim Lobel
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“Perhaps you will see the donkey of
someone you hate lying under its load - will you
refrain from helping him? You shall surely help
along with him.” (Exodus 23:6 - translated
according to Rashi’s interpretation)
The Torah commands us to not watch
others suffer from their burdens and, if we have
the ability and means to help, we must do so.
The Kli Yakar comments on the odd
phrasing in the verse - “will you refrain from
helping him?” Why doesn't the Torah just simply
command us to help? Most positive commandments
do not come with a question of if an individual
shall do something or not; rather, the Torah
just gives us our obligation.
The Kli Yakar explains that the answer
lies in the latter half of the verse. “You shall
surely help along with him.” Only if the
individual in need is working together with the
one helping him does one have an obligation to
help. “Along with him” means that we should
question whether the person receiving help is
doing his utmost to help himself; then we have
an obligation to step in and help. If the person
refuses to help himself, the answer to the
verse's question, “will you refrain from helping
him?” is yes! We do not have to help him because
we are not helping “along with him”.
Astonishingly, the Kli Yakar concludes
that those who put their weight on the public
for support and refuse to help themselves are
not entitled to charity. On the other hand, when
we see someone try to carry his own burdens, we
have an obligation to help.
Shabbat Shalom
For more Divrei Torah on the Parsha:
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| Rabbi Chaim
Lobel is the Rabbi of Young Israel of Aberdeen, Congregation Bet
Tefilah, Aberdeen, NJ.
http://www.yiaberdeen.com/index.html |
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