Reeh 5774 - English

by Rabbi Daniel A. Kripper
Beth Israel Aruba

This section of Reeh, almost in its entirety, deals with prescriptions related to public issues, which make up the organization of a fair society in accordance with the Torah.

Three institutions stand out in the context of this social legislation: the tithe to help the poorest, the annulment of debts on the shmita or Sabbatical year, and last, the general obligation of tzedakah or material aid for the needy.

Some commentators wonder about a possible contradiction between two verses that refer to poverty.  When speaking of debt cancellation, it is written:  “There shall be no needy among you…” (Deut. 15:4).  But in relation to “not hardening your heart nor upon shutting your hand” in the practice of tzedakah (15:7), it says: “For there will never cease to be needy ones in your land” (15:11).

According to Yesha’yahu Leibowitz z.l., the contradiction between both verses is just an illusion.  The verse that says that “there shall be no needy” does not constitute a promise, but rather a demand that has been put to us.

From this request we infer that the chances to eradicate poverty depend on the observation of the mitzvot with high social content, such as debt cancellation; on provisions that aim to correct social injustices, and to promote the sense of compassion and solidarity in the bosom of the people.

Throughout history, it has been proven that no regimen in the world can make poverty wipe itself away; nor can drastic or totalitarian methods.

The Torah clearly proclaims it: although natural goods come from the Almighty, putting an end to the poverty problem and hunger calamity in the world will depend on human effort and commitment.

Along the same lines, a great commentary to the Talmud of the 13th century, Tosaphot, interprets the prophetic promises that appear in the Bible: “Prophets only predict what should be”, which does not guarantee that it necessarily will be.

The same rule applies to the Messianic vision: it is the maximum desideratum of history, a supreme biblical aspiration, but in the end, to make it a reality in the here and now is a human challenge.

As regards to the teaching of our parashah, the ultimate ideal is that poverty may disappear from the face of the earth.  Its very existence certainly constitutes a stain on the conscience of the society that creates it and supports it.  Its disappearance will not occur automatically or by divine decree, but rather from an iron human willingness to transform the dream into reality.

Rabbi Daniel A. Kripper

Beth Israel Aruba