Daily Tanya Monday 22nd Elul Igeres Hakodesh 16 Part 1: Compassion Before Comfort: A Call to Sustain the Dignified Poor

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💔 A Personal Appeal to the Community

My beloved friends, brothers, and companions—dear to me as my own soul—I am deeply aware of the hardship of our times. Livelihood has become strained, and I know of individuals among you whose financial situation has deteriorated severely. They are left without any support or assistance, borrowing just to eat. May God have mercy on them and grant them relief soon.

🤲 The Moral Obligation to Give

Despite these challenges, it appears that some are not acting in the best interest of their own souls. I’ve heard that many have withheld their previously generous hands and have not continued to give with an open heart and generous spirit toward the essential needs of the dignified poor—those whose eyes are turned toward us in hope. If we do not show compassion, God forbid, who will?

📖 Torah’s Perspective on Priorities

The Torah teaches, “Your brother shall live with you.” The principle of “your life takes precedence” only applies in a case where one person possesses a single jug of water, and both lives are equally at risk. In such a case, the water is equally necessary for both to survive.

🍞 Necessity Over Comfort

However, if the poor person needs bread for his children, wood for heating, or clothing for the cold—these basic necessities take precedence over luxuries such as fine garments, festive meals, meat, fish, and other delicacies enjoyed by oneself and one’s household. In these cases, the rule of “your life takes precedence” does not apply, because these comforts are not true necessities. The poor person’s needs are essential for survival and are equal in urgency. This is clearly taught in Tractate Nedarim, page 80.

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

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