The Portion of Re'eh Giving From the Heart
As the Children of Israel prepare to enter the Land of Israel, Moses speaks about the unique ceremony of blessings and curses which will take place on Mt. Gerizim and Mt. Ayval. There is a long list of tasks which await the Children of Israel once they enter the Promised Land. One of those tasks, a very fundamental one at that, is the commandment to open one's pocket and one's heart and to give tzedakah. Giving to the needy is not only a physical act. It must be accompanied by encouragement and emotional support, for without this support the the act of giving is only partially fulfilled. And as Rabbi Yochanan said: "Greater is the one who whitens his friend's teeth than the one who gives him milk to drink" (Tractate Ketubot 111). An allusion to this may be found in the verse " but thou shalt surely open thy hand unto him" (Deuteronomy 15;8). The uniquely curved letters "pay" in the words "patoach tiftach" (you shall surely open) indicate that the Torah is referring to two openings: that of the hand and that of the heart.
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