Sunday Morning Quarterback; Things Will Never Change, Deal With It

like clockwork- but on a calendar – email notifications and envelopes appear. delivered. bills, bills & more bills. it is once again that time of the month. for those fortunate, it can be merely a a moment to query as to whether all of the obligations were paid. for others, their life is a financial circus and they juggle as as to which bills can be paid and how much- minimum or statement balance? for the least fortunate, there are bills and obligations that roll in and they mount up to the heights of k-2 or everest. unable to afford a sherpa, the treacherous climb out of the situation is a financial avalanche. finally, there are those for whom bills are like a “borg” encounter, futile.

this monthly experience of responsibility is multi-factorial. good wealth, hard work, great planning, good fortune, good health, and sacrifice can lead to success and pice of mind. bad timing, poor planning, bad health, bad fortune, and overindulgence can lead to challenging or worrying times. incapacity, failing health, no plan, addiction, and tragedy and lead to never ending times of despair.

the portion re’eh captures the humanity’s economics. unlike the star trek utopian vision of a world where there is no want, deuteronomy 15:11, acknowledge that that “for there will never cease to be needy within the land. therefore, i command you, saying, you shall surely open your hand to your brother, to your poor one, and to your need in your land.”

at the time of the exodus- even though there were no mortgage payments, credit card bills, cell phone bills, cable or streaming services, gas and electric bills- it was clearly appreciated that there would always be those in need. there were those in need of necessities of housing, food and clothing. the problem was to be eternal and thus there were commandments to address the matter.

with this in mind, we must accept and appreciate that there will be those in society that will never be able to attain firm footing to climb up life’s monetary demands. how are modern societies address this reality.

the same torah portion re’eh, however, there is the discussion of one’s sacrifice to god which may provide insight into this problem. deuteronomy 16:17, in addressing a man’s appearance at festivals, it was noted that no one shall appear before the lord empty handed. it states ” [every]many [shall bring] as much as he can afford, according to the blessing of the lord, your god, which he has given to. ”

impliedly, even those having the toughest of times, are obligated to make the best effort that could to satisfy the master of the universe. should this not be the same for themselves? should they not make an effort to help themselves. maimonides captures this notion with his eight level of charities: “there are eight levels of charity, each greater than the next.

[1] the greatest level, above which there is no greater, is to support a fellow jew by endowing him with a gift or loan, or entering into a partnership with him, or finding employment for him, in order to strengthen his hand so that he will not need to be dependent upon others . . .

[2] a lesser level of charity than this is to give to the poor without knowing to whom one gives, and without the recipient knowing from who he received. for this is performing a mitzvah solely for the sake of heaven. this is like the “anonymous fund” that was in the holy temple [in jerusalem]. there the righteous gave in secret, and the good poor profited in secret. giving to a charity fund is similar to this mode of charity, though one should not contribute to a charity fund unless one knows that the person appointed over the fund is trustworthy and wise and a proper administrator, like rabbi chananyah ben teradyon.

[3] a lesser level of charity than this is when one knows to whom one gives, but the recipient does not know his benefactor. the greatest sages used to walk about in secret and put coins in the doors of the poor. it is worthy and truly good to do this, if those who are responsible for distributing charity are not trustworthy.

[4] a lesser level of charity than this is when one does not know to whom one gives, but the poor person does know his benefactor. the greatest sages used to tie coins into their robes and throw them behind their backs, and the poor would come up and pick the coins out of their robes, so that they would not be ashamed.

[5] a lesser level than this is when one gives to the poor person directly into his hand, but gives before being asked.

[6] a lesser level than this is when one gives to the poor person after being asked.

[7] a lesser level than this is when one gives inadequately, but gives gladly and with a smile.

[8] a lesser level than this is when one gives unwillingly.” chabad.org

arguably, both those who can give and those in need are obligated to make the system of charitable giving work.

in modern times, a prophylactic approaches must be taken. parents must make their best efforts to raise their children in a manner that they can become both independent and responsible. thus, children must develop a work ethic; successes can be in variety of ways. professions, trades and other entrepreneurial opportunities should be encouraged. children should be taught that working brings meaning to life. likewise, children’s health must be monitored; medical conditions and substance abuse issues must be addressed.

in order to accomplish these goals, societies must support parents with their obligations by providing institutions that deliver on the goals. society also should not promote vices and bad behavior. currently, the united states openly accepts drugs-legal and street, gambling, and failing educational programs as a matter of due course. many politicians do not appreciate the consequences of their own actions.

in sum, modern societies, when they act recklessly, challenge and stress individuals’ commitment to charity. while we know that there are going to be those in need, we do not need to have governments which manufacture those in need. the consequences of these irresponsible actions are seen on most big city streets.