Charity and Days of Awe: New Year, Kippur, Sukkot, Simhat Torah.
There is one Commandment connected with a promise. It is the giving of Maaser, or the Tithe.
Our sages say: Aser Bishvil sheTit’asher!
“Give the tithe so as to be prosperous.”
In Pirkey Avot we learn:
“Who is called rich? The one who is happy with his portion.”
So the real meaning to the commandment of giving the tithe, is to make the giver happy so he feels rich whatever his portion is, which is not guaranteed by just having much money.
The one who sends himself the message that he has always enough to give thanks for and feel blessed, is the one who has found happiness.
So we can see now that giving Maaser gives joy, and it is that joy which blesses the person with whatever they endeavor to do.
The time from Rosh haShana to Kippour is called the 10 days of Return. They symbolize the 10% that we give for Maaser, the Tithe.
Then come the days of Sukkot to Simhat Torah, called Time of Our Joy.
This means through giving Maaser we can reach joy.
Then we can enjoy the blessings for the whole year.
FJN wishes Shana Tova
Ketiva veHatima Tova to all our brothers and sisters in Africa and everywhere!
Charity and Days of Awe.
