Last Minute Realization
As I sit here waiting for Abba and Peggy to get stuff to eat, I want to share a final thought before I go.
I was thinking today about how I'm going to be able to do it all by myself in Israel with not that much money. It's going to be hard -- but I'm going to be able to do it, I know I can...with HaShem's help of course. I hadn't had a real steady job this summer, I had just done small things for the shul here and there, made a little money. I had worked for Mr Macy last year at his inn. And then it dawned me, what the reason possibly could be, why HaShem had it that I wouldn't have a job this year.
Because I forgot to give ma'aser.
Ma'aser is when one gives 10 - 20% of his/her income to tzedaka (charity). Everyone has to do it, even the person getting tzadaka, he has to give tzedaka also.
I had planned on giving my ma'aser last summer before I left. Then I got to Israel, to yeshiva, and was going to give it to a tzedaka there. And then I just totally forgot and it was the end of the year, and I had not enough to give the amount I had to.
According to this reason, HaShem probably would've thought, he obviously couldn't handle his money right last time, why should I give him another chance?
Learn from my mistake (as I hope I have). Give tzedaka. The Gemara says one who gives tzedaka get's paid back what he gave.
Don't make the same mistake I did.
I hope to see everyone in Israel soon.
I was thinking today about how I'm going to be able to do it all by myself in Israel with not that much money. It's going to be hard -- but I'm going to be able to do it, I know I can...with HaShem's help of course. I hadn't had a real steady job this summer, I had just done small things for the shul here and there, made a little money. I had worked for Mr Macy last year at his inn. And then it dawned me, what the reason possibly could be, why HaShem had it that I wouldn't have a job this year.
Because I forgot to give ma'aser.
Ma'aser is when one gives 10 - 20% of his/her income to tzedaka (charity). Everyone has to do it, even the person getting tzadaka, he has to give tzedaka also.
I had planned on giving my ma'aser last summer before I left. Then I got to Israel, to yeshiva, and was going to give it to a tzedaka there. And then I just totally forgot and it was the end of the year, and I had not enough to give the amount I had to.
According to this reason, HaShem probably would've thought, he obviously couldn't handle his money right last time, why should I give him another chance?
Learn from my mistake (as I hope I have). Give tzedaka. The Gemara says one who gives tzedaka get's paid back what he gave.
Don't make the same mistake I did.
I hope to see everyone in Israel soon.