The Coronavirus pandemic has had a profound negative economic impact on our country as many of us shelter-in-place, or fear to go to work or patronize businesses because of the danger of infection, serious illness, and potential death. As small businesses and restaurants close and many of our fellow citizens cannot work, they are in danger of losing their homes, being evicted, or not being able to afford food and medicine. Unemployment benefits have cushioned the blow for some, but the impact is still profound.
This week’s Torah portion, Re’eh, speaks to this problem which existed in ancient Israel, just as it does today: “For there will never cease to be needy ones in your land, which is why I command you: open your hand to the poor and needy kinsman in your land.” (Deuteronomy 15:11).
Chizkuni (Rabbi Hezekiya ben Manoah, 13th C, Venice) notices that this verse begins with the conditional, “For, there will never cease…” and comments that the use of “For” means, “if perchance your actions were not charitable enough to prevent the existence of destitute people among you.” In other words, what have we done as a society to raise our fellow citizens out of poverty and what do we do when people fall into poverty? Chizkuni, makes it clear that poverty is not just a natural condition, but rather is a result of social action.
As individuals and a society, do we do as much as we can to end poverty? That is our moral challenge, particularly in this moment of economic crisis.
Re’eh, Deuteronomy 11:26 – 16:17 – Parshat Ha Shavua for Shabbat, Saturday, August 15, 2020
August 14, 2020 by Dean Kertesz •
The Coronavirus pandemic has had a profound negative economic impact on our country as many of us shelter-in-place, or fear to go to work or patronize businesses because of the danger of infection, serious illness, and potential death. As small businesses and restaurants close and many of our fellow citizens cannot work, they are in danger of losing their homes, being evicted, or not being able to afford food and medicine. Unemployment benefits have cushioned the blow for some, but the impact is still profound.
This week’s Torah portion, Re’eh, speaks to this problem which existed in ancient Israel, just as it does today: “For there will never cease to be needy ones in your land, which is why I command you: open your hand to the poor and needy kinsman in your land.” (Deuteronomy 15:11).
Chizkuni (Rabbi Hezekiya ben Manoah, 13th C, Venice) notices that this verse begins with the conditional, “For, there will never cease…” and comments that the use of “For” means, “if perchance your actions were not charitable enough to prevent the existence of destitute people among you.” In other words, what have we done as a society to raise our fellow citizens out of poverty and what do we do when people fall into poverty? Chizkuni, makes it clear that poverty is not just a natural condition, but rather is a result of social action.
As individuals and a society, do we do as much as we can to end poverty? That is our moral challenge, particularly in this moment of economic crisis.