In this essay I‟d like to explain the nature of charitable motivations. I‟d like to diffe-rentiate between the giver and receiver and how the intentions of one and the needs of the other react to and counteract each other. To support my thesis I‟ll bring Moshe‟s request of Bnei Yisrael to stop donating to the building of the Mishkan. Lastly I‟d like to suggest ways in which we can take the lesson of this essay and use it to guide our own charitable donations.
One of the 613 mitzvot is to give charity and in fact Maimonides wrote that charity is a sign of Jewish lineage. If one meets a stingy Jew, Maimonides wrote, one should suspect their Jewish roots, for Jews have a charitable nature running through their veins. Although charity is in our communal DNA, Jews donate for various reasons. Some feel the need to effectuate change, to correct the world, others to help a needy person, while some strive for honor and run from guilt. In all of the examples it is the giver that we focused on.
In the charity equation the recipient is the other factor. A theme that runs through Maimonides well known list of who to give charity to first is the need of the recipient. While the need of the recipient as the first priority seems obvious, unfortunately other factors frequently take precedence. In-stead of the most needy, emotional needs, whether they are honor, guilt or the need to feel effective often directs our charitable dollars.
In all areas of life our feelings tend to lead us astray. Instead of acting in accordance with what we know is correct, we give in to our petty, instinctual desires.
It is unfortunate that in an area as impor-tant as charity, where so many depend on our largesse, we let our feelings get in the way of what is just. When the needs of the recipient clash with the cravings of the giver
it is rare that the proper outcome is ever achieved. There can be no greater shame. It is our responsibility to not only be ge-nerous but vigilant with our resources to ensure their proper use.
Our sedra reviews the generosity of Bnei Yisrael in the building of the Mishkan. Donations flowed in from the entire nation. So generous were the people of Israel that Moshe had to call a halt to their generosity, and in so doing taught a lesson for the ages. Hashem wrote, "Moshe commanded, „Let no man or woman bring any more material for the sacred offering.‟ And the people stopped bringing." Moshe taught us that although the people wanted to give, since there was no need they should no longer give. His lesson needs to resonate with us; we need to ensure our charitable dollars are used properly in the service of the needs of those that seek them.
