* Translation by Yehoshua Siskin
Here is a beautiful reflection by Dr. Rakefet Ben Yishai:
Everyone is missing something. One person may need help making ends meet, while another may be financially secure but desperately in need of a listening ear, companionship, a word of encouragement, or perhaps even constructive criticism that will open their eyes. Different people have different needs.
In the Torah portion of Re'eh, the Torah commands us to provide for the poor person "sufficient for whatever he lacks" (Deuteronomy 15:8). From these words, our Sages teach that we must first determine what the particular person before us lacks, and then satisfy that specific need. Maimonides offers several examples: "If he lacks clothing, provide him with clothing. If he lacks household utensils, buy them for him. If he lacks a wife, help him marry."
But tzedakah is not merely placing a coin in a collection box or donating our old clothes. It means looking carefully at the people around us and asking ourselves: What does this person truly need? What is missing from their life and how can I help fill that particular void?
And if we are already taking the time to look around us, we should also look inward and ask ourselves the same question: What am I missing? What positive qualities do I want to cultivate within myself? What kind of person do I aspire to be?
This week marks the beginning of the month of Elul, a time for introspection, repentance, and spiritual renewal. It is a wonderful opportunity to notice what is lacking — both in the lives of those around us and within ourselves — and then do our part to make each of us more complete.
