Matos - Masei: 5783 - "Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and her returnees with righteousness": Close relatives or distant relatives? A wonderful story on the subject of Bein Hametzarim and the matter of charity, by Rabbi Shimon Zonnenfeld. Afterward…

00:00 Speaker 1 That’s a surprise. And a good Erev Shabbos. Rabbi Sonnenfeld, please.

00:03 Speaker 2 We’re in the midst of Bein Hametzarim, the days of Bein Hametzarim. And with Hashem’s help, these days will become days of joy and celebration. For that to happen, the verse says, “Zion shall be redeemed with justice”—through Torah study—“and those who return to her with tzedakah”—through giving tzedakah. I found an interesting story about the tzaddik Rabbi Chaim of Sanz. Once, a Jew came to him in very difficult circumstances. He needed a livelihood, he needed to marry off his children, and he needed a substantial sum to get out of his situation. So he came to Rabbi Chaim of Sanz and asked for help. Rabbi Chaim gave him a few coins, and the man became upset. He’d been hoping for a sizable donation. Rabbi Chaim told him, “There are many other people who need help.” He gave him a few more coins, but the man still wasn’t satisfied. So he said, “You know, we’re relatives.” He began explaining how they were related: his grandmother and Rabbi Chaim’s grandmother had some family connection. Rabbi Chaim of Sanz replied, “Well, distant relatives.” That was it; the man left deeply disappointed. That day was a yahrzeit for Rabbi Chaim of Sanz. He led the prayers as the chazzan, the shliach tzibbur. When he began the repetition of the Amidah, he said, “G-d of Avraham, G-d of Yitzchak, and G-d of Yaakov.” That Jew was standing there in the shul, and when Rabbi Chaim said those words, the man shouted, “Well, distant relatives!” Everyone heard him. They wanted to give him a beating, and he immediately ran out of the shul. But Rabbi Chaim of Sanz heard what he shouted and suddenly understood that he hadn’t acted properly. So right after the prayers, he asked his attendant to look for the man and bring him back. The attendant found him and brought him in. Rabbi Chaim asked him,

02:06 Speaker 2 “How much do you need?” And he gave him everything he needed. Yes, “distant relatives.” The question is, when a Jew needs help—you come—we come to ask Hakadosh Boruch Hu in the merit of “the G-d of Avraham, the G-d of Yitzchak, and the G-d of Yaakov,” but when it’s someone here, we’re “distant relatives”? Have a good Shabbos. May we merit good days.

02:27 Speaker 1 Amen, yes.