REE'H

How To Create Wealth

A fundamental shift in understanding is needed: we do not allocate tithing; rather, we transfer the money to those to whom it belongs. The money for tithing does not belong to us. It is temporarily held with us as a deposit until we transfer it to its true destination. Therefore, when we do our work as honest bankers, Hashem transfers more funds for us to manage.

We also know that tzedakah is strongly associated with Elul, and Rosh Hashana, but the question is, what is the power of tzedakah?

Repentance, for instance removes sin and turns a person into someone deserving.

Prayer, awakens the love between Hashem and His children and creates a desire for them.

But what does tzedakah accomplish more than other mitzvos?

The Rebbe develops an important idea: tzedakah changes the considerations in judgment and introduces a new value: Mercy ; Just as the giver of charity does not scrutinize the righteousness of the act and gives to the poor simply because there is a weak person in need, so too does it awaken mercy in heaven, to ease the judgment and prioritize the needs and life of the individual.

After all, each one of us is poor in judgment, not unlike how the person on the street corner is poor in money.