- using rabeinu yona shaarei teshuva (3:30) that basically this is also a test and it is for your own good not to get rich
- using the ahavas chesed (19:1) that still there are things that bring upon being poor so the maaser helps not to get poor but he may not become rich
- the promise is only when you know the poor man is an honest poor man
- netziv in meromei sadeh (r"h 4a) that it is only said when the maaser is given to people who learn torah
- in the name of rav shlomo zalman that today hashem is hiding so much that this test doesn't apply (!)
- using the rema (249:13) that if one takes honor for the tzedaka it is bad
- the money given is not "clean" (chida on sefer chasidim)
- radvaz (3:441) that only works if given to poor people and not used for other mitzvos
- If i may add, i think it is very difficult especially today to calculate an exact amount since finances are much more intricate today
Monday, January 15, 2007
testing hashem with maaser
rabbi taub in his artsroll tzedaka book gives a few reasons why people who give maaser don't get rich even though the gemara says you can test hashem (pg 127-8 in ft note):
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3 comments:
i have to be honest - most of these approaches really bother me. chazal say "aser bishvil shetisasher" and hashem says "bichanuni na bezos". this is not an issue that is subject to change. see below for specific comments:
1. using rabeinu yona shaarei teshuva (3:30) that basically this is also a test and it is for your own good not to get rich
2. using the ahavas chesed (19:1) that still there are things that bring upon being poor so the maaser helps not to get poor but he may not become rich
BOTH 1 & 2 CONTRADICT THE GEMARA WHERE WE ARE TOLD TO CHALLENGE HASHEM IN THIS. IT IS ONLY A CHALLENGE IF IT WILL DEFINITELY HAPPEN. IF G-D WANTS TO PUNISH FOR AVEIROS HE CAN USE OTHER MEANS, BUT ONCE HE PROMISES IT HAS TO HAPPEN. SIMILAR TO RAMBAM'S APPROACH TO NAVI WHO SAYS PROPHECY FOR GOOD AND AFTERWARD THEY DO AVEIROS.
3. the promise is only when you know the poor man is an honest poor man
4. netziv in meromei sadeh (r"h 4a) that it is only said when the maaser is given to people who learn torah
3 & $ WHICH SIMPLY QUALIFY WHAT CHAZAL MEANT, ARE POSSIBLE.
5. in the name of rav shlomo zalman that today hashem is hiding so much that this test doesn't apply (!)
I AGREE WITH YOU EXPLANATION POINT, BEC. I FIND THIS MEHALECH ABSURD AND I DOUBT R' SHLOMO ZALMAN SAID IT SERIOUSLY IF HE SAID IT AT ALL.
6. using the rema (249:13) that if one takes honor for the tzedaka it is bad
IT MAY BE NOT AS GOOD AS DOING IT LISHMA, BUT DOES THAT MEAN HASHEM WON'T FULFILL HIS PROMISE!
7. the money given is not "clean" (chida on sefer chasidim)
SO "LAUNDER" IT!
8. radvaz (3:441) that only works if given to poor people and not used for other mitzvos
THIS IS MOST LIKELY WHAT THE GEMARA MEANS, BUT DOES IT ANSWER THE QUESTION?
9. If i may add, i think it is very difficult especially today to calculate an exact amount since finances are much more intricate today
YOU ARE PROBABLY RIGHT THAT PEOPLE HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME ACTUALLY GIVING A TENTH PROPERLY.
ALSO, IT SEEMS CLEAR FROM TOSAFOS IN THE CASE OF THE GUY WHO GAVE 100 FROM 1000 YEAR AFTER YEAR, THAT HE DID NOT BECOME RICHER EVERY YEAR. CLEARLY, "ASHIRUS" DOES NOT MEAN THAT HIS ASSETS WILL CONTINUE TO GROW, BUT RATHER THAT HE WILL LIVE COMFORTABLY LIKE AN ASHIR DOES, IF HE CONTINUES TO GIVE THE MA'ASER.
i agree with your approach 100%, i just thaught it will be interesting for the olam ans also most of his reasons have sources.
i will read your specific comments later. shkoyach.
by the way, is reading the blog considered "hirhur" for bircas hatorah purposes?
others answer that ashirus means that he will be sameach b'chelko.
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