The Alter Rebbe continues explaining the verse:
“וְהָיָה מַעֲשֵׂה הַצְּדָקָה שָׁלוֹם, וַעֲבוֹדַת הַצְּדָקָה הַשְׁקֵט וָבֶטַח עַד עוֹלָם.”
In this section, he focuses on the difference between:
- Ma’aseh ha-tzedakah (the deed of charity)
- Avodat ha-tzedakah (the labor/service of charity)
- Jews Are Naturally Compassionate
The Alter Rebbe begins with a well-known principle:
“ישראל בטבעם הם רחמנים וגומלי חסדים“
Jews are naturally compassionate and kind.
Why?
Because Jewish souls are rooted in Hashem’s attributes, where chesed predominates over judgment and restriction.
This compassion is therefore not something foreign to a Jew—it is already built into his nature.
- Why It Is Called “Ma’aseh HaTzedakah”
The word ma’aseh refers to something:
- Already established,
- Naturally occurring,
- Habitual and regular.
Since kindness is already implanted in the Jewish soul from its creation, ordinary charity that flows from that natural compassion is called:
“מעשה הצדקה“
the act or deed of charity.
A Jew sees another’s suffering and wishes to help. This emerges naturally from the soul’s inherent mercy.
- What Is “Avodah”?
The Alter Rebbe then defines avodah very precisely:
A person laboring against his own nature.
Avodah exists when someone must struggle, exert effort, and overcome himself.
Examples he gives:
- Toiling in Torah
- Exerting oneself in prayer
- Serving Hashem beyond what comes naturally
- “Avodat HaTzedakah” Means Giving Beyond Nature
Therefore, in charity:
Ma’aseh ha-tzedakah = giving according to one’s natural compassion.
Avodat ha-tzedakah = giving beyond what one’s nature would willingly give.
The Alter Rebbe writes:
“ליתן הרבה יותר מטבע רחמנותו ורצונו“
To give much more than one’s natural inclination and desire.
This is already a higher level.
- The Source: “Naton Titen”
He supports this with Chazal’s interpretation of:
“נתון תיתן לו“
Give, you shall give.
The Sages explain:
“אפילו מאה פעמים“
Even one hundred times.
The point is not merely to give once when it is easy.
True avodah is repeated giving, continued generosity, and stretching oneself beyond comfort.
The Main Point of This Section
The Alter Rebbe is making a subtle distinction:
- Every Jew possesses natural kindness.
- Acting on that kindness is ma’aseh tzedakah.
- But when a person gives beyond his comfort, beyond habit, and beyond what his nature dictates, that becomes avodat tzedakah.
In other words:
The deed of charity comes from the soul’s natural compassion; the service of charity begins when a person transcends his nature for the sake of Hashem’s will.