צדקה תציל ממות

Charity Saves one from Death 

Tzedakah is unique. We say on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, “מי בקצו ומי לו בקיצו – Who will die in their appointed time and who before their appointed time.” When it comes to someone’s time, there is little that one can do to extend their divinely allotted ration of life. But Tzedakah can accomplish even this, for the Gemara in Bava Basra informs us that there was a righteous philanthropist (Binyomin Hatzadik) whose life was extended many years because of his many charitable activities.

On Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, our annual livelihood is also determined. And, there is no better way to increase the bounty that we receive from Hashem than with the giving of Tzedakah. As the pasuk testifies, “כי בגלל הדבר הזה יברכך ה׳ אלקיך בכל מעשך – For because of this thing (tzedakah), Hashem will bless all of your handiwork.”

Let’s face it. It is not easy to give away our money. We work very hard for it and we have so many things that we want to do with it. May Hashem give us the strength and desire to share our largesse with those who are less fortunate and in that merit may Hashem bless us with a New Year of long life, good health, and everything wonderful.