Everyday Holiness: The Jewish Spiritual Path of Mussar by Morinis Alan

Author:Morinis, Alan [Morinis, Alan]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
Published: 2011-05-17T16:00:00+00:00

All of this might lead you to conclude that the ultimate form of generosity is giving from a loving heart. Rabbi Simcha Zissel tells us this, and more. He looks closely at the phrasing of the section of the Torah dealing with terumah (generous offerings). A literal reading of the statement goes: “Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the Almighty.” The question Rabbi Simcha Zissel asks is, “To what does ‘it’ refer?” He answers that this verse means that those who bring gifts should bring their hearts along with their offerings. It isn’t enough just to give money or an object, even from the heart; God wants us to give our hearts themselves.

God wants your heart. Real generosity means not only giving something practical that will be of help to someone, it also means changing something in yourself. Wrapped up in our hearts are the inner qualities that can adorn our generosity. Will your gift be just a thing, or will it be accompanied by joy, or empathy, or commitment, or love, or any of the other soul-traits you cultivate in yourself? When you undertake to give your heart as well, you change an element of yourself. Each such act of generosity makes you into a more giving (or joyful, or empathic, or committed, or loving, or . . .) person. And when you change yourself, you change the world.

The tradition teaches that practicing generosity opens the heart, and that ultimately the reward for generosity is that the giver receives the gift of the presence of God dwelling among us. I can’t imagine any difference between an open heart and the presence of HaShem.

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