Charity must be given in secret (Shabbos 104a)
It is taught that tzedakah (charity) be given secretly, so as not to embarrass the poor person. The giving of tzedakah is so important and special that the rabbis of old taught that “charity equals all the other commandments (Bava Basra 9a)
In a small village there lived a man who was experiencing great poverty. Shabbos was approaching, and he was at a loss for what to do; he had absolutely no money and had made no preparations for Shabbos.
A wealthy merchant in the village became aware of the man’s suffering and it pained him to his very heart. He took 2 golden coins and began to consider how to get the money to the poor man. It was not simple either, as this man had once been very wealthy and active in the community. The poor man would be terribly embarrassed to accept charity.
The wealthy man knew that a person should “give alms from your possessions, and do not let your eye begrudge the gift when you make it. Do not turn your face away from anyone who is poor, and the face of G-d will not be turned away from you. (Tobit 4:7)
For days the wealthy merchant thought how he could help the poor man without embarrassing him. Then he had an idea. Everyone prayed in the wooden shul (synagogue) and he decided that he slip the gold coins into the poor man’s pocket secretly when his coat is on the wall during services, when he’s saying the Shemoneh Esrei (silent prayer of 18 blessings) prayer with his eyes closed and would not see anything.
When the poor man put on his coat after the services and found the gold coins in his pocket, he lifted his eyes to heaven to thank the Holy One, blessed be He for sending a messenger to save him from his desperate situation.
The man was thankful not only for the money but also for the way it was given and his having been spared embarrassment. Undoubtedly, the wealthy merchant’s sensitive and thoughtful act also inspired him, renewing his will to live and giving him strength to face his difficulties.
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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