Rabbi Kohen said: “[The land shall be forsaken of them and shall be repaid for its sabbaths in its desolation from them, and they shall repay their iniquity] because [yaan uvyaan] [they rejected My ordinances]” (Leviticus 26:43). Yaan is a poor person [ani].23The punishment is for mistreatment of the poor. Ani and yaan are anagrams. Rabbi Shila of Navha said: “[Beware, lest there be a wicked thought in your heart…and your eye will be miserly toward your brother who is] indigent” (Deuteronomy 15:9), give your wealth to this poor person,24The word indigent [ha’evyon] is thus understood to mean hav hon, give wealth. for it is his.25God gave it to you so that you could give it to the poor (Maharzu; cf. Etz Yosef).
Rabbi Avin said: This poor person is standing at your doorway, and the Holy One blessed be He is standing to his right, as it is written: “For He stands at the right of the indigent” (Psalms 109:31). If you give to him, know Who is standing to his right, and He will reward you. And if you do not give to him, know Who is standing to his right, and He will repay you, as it is written: “To deliver him from those who judge him” (Psalms 109:31).
Rabbi Aivu said: It is written: “You shall give him” (Deuteronomy 15:10). Rabbi Naḥman said: “For it is due to this matter” (Deuteronomy 15:10). This world is like a water wheel; the bucket that is full empties and the empty one is filled.26So too, people’s financial fortunes rise and fall. It is taught in the name of Rabbi Eliezer: Vengeance against Israel is in the hand of the poor, as it is written: “He will cry out to the Lord against you and it will be a sin for you” (Deuteronomy 15:9).
The vengeance of Edom is in the hand of Israel, as it is stated: “I will place My vengeance upon Edom by the hand of My people Israel” (Ezekiel 25:14).