Seeing to the needy among us

For the 8^th Day of Passover (on Shabbat)

Deuteronomy 14:22-16:17.

15:4 - “There shall be no needy among you..”.

15:11-“There shall never cease to be needy ones in your land...”

           

As we conclude our festival of freedom, it seems like an appropriate time to consider those who are most in need of help. At the beginning of this festival, we opened our doors and asked "all who are hungry, come and eat." This symbolic act demands real action.

           

When the final day of Passover falls on Shabbat, traditional congregations read from D’varim (Deuteronomy). Within the reading are found these two verses in close proximity which are puzzling in their stark differences. In Deuteronomy 15:4, we read “There shall be no needy among you, since Adonai your God will bless you in the land that Adonai your God is giving you as a hereditary portion.” And yet, a scant seven verses later, in 15:11, we read “There shall never cease to be needy ones in your land…which is why I command you to open your hand to the poor…”

           

This conflict seems on the surface to be irreconcilable. But reconciliation was the supreme task of rabbinic commentators, who note that the Hebrew language in 15:4 is in the singular, and is best translated as something like “there shall be no needy person within you.” The rabbis took this for a command (mitzvah) meaning, “You shall avoid your own poverty.” The rabbinic concern to avoid self-impoverishment was balanced by the second verse: we must reconcile providing for ourselves with the need to provide for those who need our help.

           

This concept of balance is underscored by the word in Hebrew used in verse 15:4 for “needy.” Instead of the usual Hebrew word used for needy (“oni”), the word used here is “ev’yon.” Rashi explains that ev’yon comes from a Hebrew word meaning “longing” and that an “ev’yon” is someone who longs for everything.

           

When we are consumed by our own wants and desires, we are not able to see the needs of others. We should conclude Passover the way we started it: by helping others to find the blessings of freedom from want.