He’s lying there, remembering a debt, a sum of money he entrusted to a man named Gabael, way back in Rages, a city in Media – ancient Persia. "Behold, I ask every day to die," he thinks. A bit dramatic, perhaps, but it underscores the urgency. He knows he has to tell his son, Tobiyyah, about this money before it’s too late.
So, he calls Tobiyyah to his side. This isn't just about finances; it's a father's last will and testament, a passing down of values. "When I am dead, bury me with honour," Tobi begins. It’s a simple request, yet loaded with love and respect. But then he turns to his wife. "Honour thy mother, and forsake her not all the days of her life, and oppose not her desire." Can you hear the tenderness in those words? He knows the struggles she's faced, the sacrifices she made while carrying Tobiyyah. "And make not her life bitter, for remember, my son, what troubles passed over her when thou wast in her womb; and when she is dead, bury her by me with honour in one grave." It's a poignant image, this desire for eternal unity and love.
But Tobi's words aren't just about familial duty. He launches into a broader moral lesson, a guide to living a righteous life. "Remember thy Creator all thy days, and sin not before him, and transgress not his commandments." It's the cornerstone, the foundation upon which everything else rests.
And then comes the concept of tzedakah, righteousness or justice, often expressed through charity. "And withhold not thy hand from giving alms of all which the Lord giveth thee, and keep not company with violent men. Hide not thine eyes from the poor of Israel, so shall the Lord not hide his eyes from thee in the time of thy trouble." It's a powerful promise, a reciprocal relationship with the Divine. If you turn away from those in need, you'll find yourself alone in your own time of need.
Tobi continues, "And if thou art not able to make riches, cease not to give alms of that which is found in thine hand, so shalt thou acquire for thyself riches and treasures of silver and gold by almsgiving, for the treasures of the wicked shall not profit, and alms doth deliver from death; and every one who occupieth himself in alms shall behold the face of God, as it is written, ‘I will behold thy face by almsgiving,’ and in heaven they pay special regard to him." It's not about accumulating wealth for its own sake, but about using what you have, even if it's little, to make the world a better place. This passage is particularly striking, isn't it? It suggests that acts of charity aren't just earthly good deeds, but they have a profound impact in the heavenly realms as well.
Tobi's words resonate even today. They remind us that our actions matter, that kindness and generosity have a power that transcends the material world. What kind of legacy are we leaving? What values are we passing down? Perhaps, like Tobi, we should all take a moment to reflect on what truly matters and share that wisdom with those we love.