ChinuchAtHome

Posted: 09.JAN.09

Many of those involved had expressed their fear that a major tzedaka campaign may not be greeted warmly by the community during these hard economic times.

In response, Rav Shteinman recorded a video message to be shared with the chairmen, who represent more than seventy shuls and summer colonies, at their pre-event meeting.

A free translation of the Rosh Yeshiva’s words, transcribed by Matzav.com, follow:

“The entire world is suffering from the financial downturn. What are we to do during this time of hardship when it has become so hard to attain ones livelihood? The Gemara in Gittin Daf zayin answered this question a long time ago; ‘If a person sees that his funds are limited then he should immerse himself in giving Tzedaka!’

“A person instinctively thinks that at a time when money is hard to come by he should hold back from giving Tzedaka. Yet the Gemara teaches us that our reaction should be just the opposite. In all generations we have merited to survive on account of our Torah and Chessed. And the greatest Chesed is when we help another attain greater heights in ruchniyus by teaching him Torah and enabling others to bring him closer to Torah.

“When a person leaves this world they can no longer amass anything worthwhile. In the next world the only things of value that we will take along with us are the Torah we have learned and the mitzvos and Chessed we have done. He who found excuses not to perform Chesed in this world will be sorry indeed in the next world. What will become of his money? Will it do him any good in his kever? Only if he used it to perform Chesed will it accompany him to the next world where he will be happy for all the good he did on this world.

“A person must realize that he will not live forever! He can only take with him the bit of Torah he has learned and the bit of yiras Shamayim he achieved along with the bit of chesed he performed. This is all he can take along and without them, he arrives in the next world ‘penniless’ and is to be pitied.

“Lev L’Achim is a tremendous vehicle for Chesed of the greatest sort. There are countless homes in Eretz Yisroel impoverished in terms of ruchniyus. Lev L’Achim takes their children and brings them to Torah schools and transforms the families. There is so much work to be done and Lev L’Achim is ready to do it but they need your help.

“In the z’chus of saving the families of Eretz Yisroel may you see nachas from your families and your future generations. And may you be blessed spiritually and physically with prosperity and freedom from the many illnesses which have devastated so many of our nation. And may you merit true happiness in this world and in the next world.”

{Matzav.com Newscenter}