We are Fortunate Through Tsedaka
For September 18, 2022
Tehillim - Psalms 106:3
אַ֭שְׁרֵי שֹׁמְרֵ֣י מִשְׁפָּ֑ט עֹשֵׂ֖ה צְדָקָ֣ה בְכׇל־עֵֽת
"Fortunate are those who keep the Torah's laws and do acts of righteousness at all times; they display G-d's greatness and bring Him praise."
Doing the 7 Laws of the Torah is perfect, but we must not only do it, but also guard that we do it with attention and with love for G-d.
In Hebrew the word for "law" is "mishpat".
The mishpatim are mitzvot such as the commandment to give charity or the prohibitions against theft and murder, whose reason and utility are obvious to us, and which we would arguably have instituted on our own if G‑d had not commanded them.
It is therefore directly linked to the 7 Noahides Laws.
We must guard our 7. For ourselves, but also for our neighbour and our society. We must teach people how to behave in order to develop a healthy society. That was one of the reasons G-d created the world, that it would be inhabited in a righteous way.
But just reminding people is not enough. The verse goes on to say that we must do righteous deeds.
Words alone will not get you there. You can tell people to behave properly, but if you do not live up to that example yourself, it is useless.
Especially giving Tsedaka (charity) is important. Give people the attention in words, time, deeds, help, money etc. that they need. This will stimulate their curiosity and so they will want to know more about the 7 Noahide Laws.
By this we praise G-d, for our deeds and our words are a means of praising Him. But it will also stimulate our fellow men to get to know Him and to start worshipping and praising Him.
Brought By Angelique Sijbolts
Angelique Sijbolts is one of the main writers for the Noahide Academy. She has been an observant Noahide for many years. She studies Torah with Rabbi Perets every week. Angelique invests much of her time in editing video-lectures for the Rabbis of the Academy and contributes in administrating the Academy's website in English and Dutch. She lives in the north of the Netherlands. Married and mother of two sons. She works as a teacher in a school with students with special needs. And is a Hebrew Teacher for the levels beginners and intermediate. She likes to walk, to read and play the piano.
Sources
Chabadapp: chumash with Rashi
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