The Bottom Line
The word ונתנו (this week’s parsha, where the Yidden were
commanded to give machtzes hashekel) reads the same way backwards and forwards. This teaches us that when we give tzedakah, and specifically ma’aser, Hashem pays us back. The idea that giving ma’aser ensures that we won’t lose money is a challenging concept. It requires us to instill a healthy dose of emunah into our hearts and minds so that we will open up our wallets to give ma’aser. If I haven’t given ma’aser until now (or have not been scrupulous with it), I can rethink that. Will Hashem really pay me back? Will I get back the thousands of dollars I give to charity? How will that happen? Not only do Chazal say that we won’t lose out, but a number of Rishonim and Poskim say that giving ma’aser can even enrich a person! This coming week, I will start looking at my tzedakah, not just as a mitzvah I do automatically, but as a real investment that not only returns my principal, but pays me dividends! I will look for meaningful and impactful opportunities to “invest” my tzedakah and ma’aser money wisely, with people and causes that my Rav endorses. I will keep in the front of my mind that I am l’chatchila allowed to “test” Hashem regarding my giving of ma’aser and tzedakah (only). In the zechus of my commitment, IY”H, I will see much bracha and hatzlacha.
