In Jewish law and tradition, redeeming a captive (pidyon shevuyim) is the highest form of charity. The code of Jewish law says that “there is no mitzvah as great as pidyon shevuyim. (Shulchan Arukh, Yoreh De’ah 252:1).”
There was a very wealthy man who was respected by many in the village. Once on a journey to collect much needed funds, Tam and Chacham came to him for a donation in order to ransom people who had been seized and unjustly held in prison by the authorities.
“How much do you need?” the wealthy man asked.
“We need three hundred silver coins” the rabbis answered.
The wealthy man left the room and came back with a pile of silver coins. “Here are two hundred and ninety silver coins,” he told them. “You can collect the rest in town.”
“Why only two hundred and ninety?” Tam and Chacham asked. “If you have given us so much, why not add another ten silver coins and spare us going through town like beggars and being humiliated in the process?”
“The Mishnah says: “One who gives, but does not want others to give, has an evil eye for others”’ (Pirkei Avos 5:13), because such a person doesn’t want them to share in the mitzvah (a commandment commanded by to be performed as a religious duty, a good deed),” explained the wealthy man. “I want others, also, to have a chance to participate in this very special mitzvah .”
The wealthy man wished Tam and Chacham success on their journeys and they left one another in peace.
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)