There was a very wise and learned man who was very wealthy. Everyday he went into the market and shouted: “Alms…Alms…Give me alms, for I need them!” At the end of the day he gave all the money he collected to any one in need.
When the poor asked for alms, people gave them nothing and tried to avoid them. The wealthy scholar reminded the people: “He who refuses the poor the aid which he has the power to give, is accountable to justice. (Against Apion ii:27, Josephus)” The wise man continued: “ are we not taught, ‘Happy is he that considers the poor’ (Ps. 41:2) Look here are my poor, give me and I shall give to them,” the people gave nothing.
Someone answered, “They are dirty and they smell. I want little to do with them.” The wealthy man answered, “If there is among you anyone in need, a member of your community in any of your towns … do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted toward your needy neighbor.” (Deuteronomy 15:7)
Again a voice sounded, “Why should we be bothered?” They wealthy man responded, “Have we not all one father? Has not one G-d created us? Why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother…? (Malachi 2:10) We are bound by belief and faith to care for the less fortunate.”
The wise man continued everyday to stand on the street calling: ” Alms…Alms…Give me alms, for I need them!,” and he have all the money he collected to the poor.
Saddened, the scholar explained: “Charity demands the utmost care and diligence, for it may save a life. (Tur Yoreh Deah #242 (13th cent.) For there is a shame that leads to sin, and there is a shame that brings honour. (ben Sira 4:21) It is better that I should shame myself and say that I am in need, in order that I should enable the poor to live with dignity.”
One day a beggar came to the wealthy man and asked for some assistance. The wealthy man welcomed the ragged beggar into his house and fed him a meal. He asked the beggar what he needed and gave him money.
A smile spread across the face of the beggar as he took the hand of the wealthy man into his and blessed him, “May it be the will of the Holy One, blessed be He that you should not embarrass others and not be embarrassed yourself.”(Moed Katan 9b)
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)