Maos Chittim
Boruch Twersky
The Tana D'bei Eliyahu (23) teaches; 'When the Yidden were in Mitzrayim,
they all gathered together, and they promised each other the following four
promises; 1) they would do acts of kindness with one another 2) they would
circumcise their children 3) they would serve only Hashem (and not idol worship)
4) they would not change their language'.
The Chofetz Chaim (Ahavas Chesed 2, 5) explains that the Jews were
suffering terribly in Mitzrayim, and they couldn’t find any rational
strategy which would possibly save them. They realized that their salvation lay
entirely in Hashem's hands. Only Hashem could save them. They therefore promised
each other that they would go in the ways of Hashem, so Hashem would have mercy
upon them and save them. In particular they promised they would do acts of
kindness to each other. In the merit of their mercy and kindness, Hashem would
have mercy upon them and save them from their troubles. Because when we display
mercy and kindness towards each other, Hashem arouses His mercy and kindness
upon us, and saves us from our suffering.
Their plan proved to be correct. The Yalkut (B'shalach) writes; 'You saved
the nation in the merit of gemilus chasadim (acts of loving-kindness) and
in the merit of Torah'. It was indeed the merit of gemilus chasadim which
saved us from Mitzrayim.
This perhaps is one of the reasons for the beloved custom of giving maos
chittim, (money to the poor) before Pesach (see hilchos Pesach 429).
TheYidden in Mitzrayim helped one another with charity, and in any way
they could, and in this merit they aroused Hashem's mercy, and the great
miracles of the salvation occurred. We commemorate this aspect of the redemption
by helping the poor before Pesach.
In our times we are still in need for great rachamay Shamayim (Divine
mercy). There are numerous troubles in the world, and there are serious threats
of great troubles ahead, and we don’t know how to protect ourselves. Although
people search for solutions, the solutions are not found. It appears that our
salvation depends solely upon Hashem's Divine intervention and salvation. We
will earn His mercy when we go in His ways. In particular, Hashem will have
mercy upon us when we do acts of kindness with one another.
The Chofetz Chaim (Shem Olam Shaar Hachofetz 5 page 32) tells the
following true story.
'There was a man who had children, but they all died. He went to his Rav (it
is repeated that the 'Rav' referred to in this story is the Chofetz Chaim
himself) and asked him if he knew of a segulah (omen) to bear children
that will live. The Rav replied; 'I am not familiar with segulos, but I
recommend you to make a gmach, (a free loan service). Perhaps in the
merit of your kindness, Hashem yisborach will have mercy upon you, and
grant you children.'
'The man listened to the advice, and worked hard until the gmach was
established. He wrote up a brochure listing all the rules of the gmach.
One of the rules was that once every three year, on parshas mishpatim
(the week where the mitzvah of giving free-loans is mentioned) there would be a
dinner, to strengthen the functions of the gmach.
'At the end of three years, a child was born. To attest that the child was
born in the merit of the gmach, the day of the bris fell on the
day which was originally designated for the gmach's dinner.
'The gmach continued for several more years, and the man bore a few
more children.
'Years later the man forgot Hashem's kindness, and returned to the Rav and
said; 'the gmach has grown, and I don’t have time to care for it. Also,
people are suspecting me that I am taking the gmach's money for myself.
So please find someone else to run the gmach.'
The Rav refused, explaining; 'no one can run the gmach as efficiently
as you can'.
However a few years later, the man returned once again to the Rav and
complained insistently that caring for the gmach was too hard for him.
The Rav had no choice but to agree and to appoint another trust-worthy person to
run the gmach. This happened at the beginning of the night. In the
morning, the man returned to the Rav with terrible news; 'a terrible thing
happened last night' he said. 'My young child choked…' He asked to be returned
to the gmach.
The Chofetz Chaim concludes; 'In the merit of chesed (kindness) his
children were born. But as soon as he stopped doing acts of kindness, the midas
hadin, the attribute of judgment immediately took over...
'Do not think my brothers that this story is nothing more than an astonishing
coincidence. 'No, no!' the Chofetz Chaim confirms. 'It is very simple, and very
understandable to the true mind.'
It is very logical; because when we do acts of kindness, Hashem does
kindness with us as well, and saves us from our troubles.
There are several tzedokos (charity causes) which advertise the
miracles and wonders people experienced in the merit of their donations. The
stories are true, because it is simply a matter of cause and effect. When we do
acts of kindness, Hashem reacts with His unfathomable and endless kindness, and
saves us from our troubles.
Harav Deutsch with the Kollel Chatzos have many stories of their own which
they can tell, of wondrous salvations which occurred to people in the merit of
their donations to the kollel Chatzos; to support the poor scholars who dedicate
their lives to learning Torah in the most difficult hours, and yet the most
important hours of the night, from midnight until the morning.
One such miracle was directly related to the mitzvah of maos chittim.
A religious man in New York was sent to prison. He was truly innocent, but the
case was complicated and confusing for the jury, and he was sent to jail. The
activists who were trying to help him didn’t see any hope for his redemption.
Rabbi Deutsch said to someone from his family; 'I need matzos for my students in
the Kollel Chatzos. They are poor and do not have money to buy their own matzos,
and I want to help them. If you donate matzos for the Kollel, I am sure, that in
the merit of the holiday of freedom, your relative will be saved from jail.'
The matzos were distributed to the students of the Kollel on the second day
of Nissan. On the very same day, only a few hours later, the court changed its
verdict, and told the evicted that he can go home, and he was free. 'I don’t
even know why you are here in the first place' the judge said. The holiday of
freedom freed him. It is very simple. When people do acts of kindness, Hashem
responds with kindness and blessings, and saves us from our troubles, and grants
us our wishes.
Presently Harav Deutsch is working very hard to raise maos chittim for
his students. He wants to give $700 per family for Pesach, which will surely
bring a lot of joy and happiness into the homes of the families of the kollel.
But he cannot raise the money alone. He needs the help of the responsible and
caring donors. The donors can rest assured that they will not loose out because
of their charity. On the contrary, in the merit of kindness, kindness and good
tidings will constantly befall them.
As we were redeemed from Egypt in the merit of charity in the month of
Nissan, may Hashem redeem us once again in this month, and bring Moshaich
Tzidkeinu speedily in our days, amen.
