There is a concept in halacha that when performing a misva, we should do so with kavanah and with joy, and specifically because G-d commanded us. The Rambam teaches that the joy one feels in performing misvot is itself a great form of avodah, service to G-d (Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Shofar, Sukkah, v’Lulav 8:15). If we fall short of that standard, we still receive credit for the misva, though it is far from ideal.
Our perasha, Re’eh, introduces us to one of the most well known misvot in all of the Torah, the misva of giving sedaka (Debarim 15:8-11). It is a misva that we train our children to be excited about from a young age. Shulhan Aruch teaches (Yoreh De’ah, 249:14) to give sedaka daily before prayers to arouse Divine mercy. The Gemara teaches that on public fast days, one who did not give sedaka during the day has both sinned and his fast is considered incomplete (Berachot 6b, Sanhedrin 35a).
There are many halachot on the subject of sedaka itself that we may not be aware of. The topic itself is expansive, beyond what we’d imagine, and one should take care to study them further. For starters, we can certainly give money, but in reality assistance must be given relative to what the person requires. Besides money, you can also give food or clothing. You can help them find a job or hire them yourself (Shulhan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah, 250:1).
The actual act of giving charity carries its own requirements. You should stand when addressing the individual, and be empathetic to the person’s situation, giving with your right hand (Or Sadikim 2,63), with a smile and a happy heart (Shulhan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah, 249:3). Even if you have nothing to give at the moment, you must still stop, look the person in the eye, and explain kindly and apologetically that you are unable to help right now. You should not wave them away in disgust or be so consumed by what you are doing that you cannot acknowledge them, whether it be the poor person himself or his agent (Shulhan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah 249:4).
As mentioned earlier, we should strive to do every misva with joy but if we fail to, we still get credit. Sedaka though is the exception. The Rambam actually writes that one who gives sedaka while displaying a sour expression loses the merit of his gift entirely (Mishneh Torah, Laws of Gifts to the Poor, 10:4). Some opinions go even further, arguing that such behavior constitutes a full Torah violation (Sefer Misvot Gadol #289). In reality, if you think about it, the more we emulate G-d’s ways of kindness and compassion, the more He deals with us in kind (Shabbat 151b). Whether we are giving two dollars or two million, your state of joy must be present.
Why does sedaka uniquely carry this requirement, to the point that giving without joy means you have lost out entirely? We should be able to say ‘I’ve fulfilled my obligation, I’ve given what the person needed, why do I need to be happy about it?’ Simply because sedaka is not a transaction, rather it is about the human element. G-d does not need our money, and if you think sedaka is simply about parting with cash, you are missing the point.
When a person stands before you in need, what they require is not only financial help but dignity. The joy you bring to that moment, the empathy, the smile, the eye contact, the kind word, is itself part of the gift. This person is already at the lowest of lows having to accept charity. No one wants to be in that position. Of all the misvot designed to strengthen our relationships with one another, sedaka uniquely asks us not just to give but to truly see the person in front of us. In a world where baseless hatred runs rampant, where we stand up for causes but struggle to treat each other with basic kindness, sedaka is a daily reminder of the ideal we are supposed to strive for.
There are those individuals, G-d bless them, who go above and beyond looking out for their fellow Jew in all matters. Still, we could all probably do a better job, myself included. You don’t have to be a hero and give millions, though if you can, all the more respect to you. It is simply about showing you care, treating the next person as your equal and not your inferior. May we never find ourselves in the position of the poor person asking for help, but let us remember that every interaction, with anyone we encounter, is an opportunity to choose kindness over indifference, warmth over dismissal, and dignity over disregard.
As we approach the month of Elul, with Rosh Hashanah not far behind, the three pillars of teshuba, tefillah, and sedaka take center stage. We know that these three can nullify a harsh decree (Yerushalmi Ta’anit 2:1). Sedaka done right, with joy and compassion, is our way of showing G-d that we are serious about being better, and we are transforming ourselves from selfishness to selflessness (Midrash Tanhuma, Re’eh, 3). Together, with just a little extra mindfulness, we have the chance to bring more heart to our daily lives, transforming simple everyday interactions into something deeply warm and meaningful. May we merit to see the day when baseless hatred is replaced with baseless love, speedily in our days.