Could I do more?" The sages certainly wrestled with that feeling, and they had some pretty strong opinions about what happens when we ignore it.
The Book of Ecclesiastes, or Kohelet as it's known in Hebrew, is full of these kinds of ponderings. One verse in particular, Ecclesiastes 5:13, really grabbed the Rabbis' attention: “That wealth is lost in a grievous manner; he begets a son, and he has nothing in his hand.”
What does it mean? What kind of "grievous manner" could cause such a devastating loss?
Kohelet Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on Ecclesiastes, dives deep into this verse. And the interpretation they offer is… well, it's a cautionary tale, to say the least.
Rabbi Ḥaggai, quoting Rabbi Yitzḥak, offers a very specific scenario. Imagine a wealthy man, confronted with a poor person. Instead of offering help, he scolds the poor soul. He questions their work ethic, mocks their appearance. “Wouldn’t it be better for you to toil and eat?” he sneers. "Look at your thighs, look at your feet, look at your girth; would it not be better for you to toil and eat?"
Ouch.
It's not just about the money, is it? It's about the attitude. It's about the lack of compassion, the harsh judgment. As the story unfolds in Kohelet Rabbah, God sees this interaction. And God is not pleased. from God's perspective, if you will. The wealthy man isn't just refusing to share his own possessions; he's casting a negative light on the very gifts God has bestowed upon this poor person. He’s adding insult to injury.
The text continues, "The Holy One blessed be He said: Is it not enough that you did not give him anything of what is yours, that you cast an evil eye on what I gave him?"
The consequence? “Therefore, he begets a son, and he has nothing in his hand” – he will not leave, from the money in his possession, for his son." The wealth, earned (or perhaps inherited) and hoarded, will be lost. The man's own children will suffer the consequences of his stinginess and his cruel words.
It's a powerful message, isn't it? It’s not just about giving charity. It’s about how we see and treat those less fortunate than ourselves. It’s about the attitude we carry in our hearts. The story suggests that our actions, and even our thoughts, have consequences that ripple outward, affecting not only ourselves but also future generations. The Zohar, the central text of Kabbalah, echoes this sentiment in countless passages, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all things.
So, the next time you find yourself judging someone in need, remember this story. Remember the words of Rabbi Ḥaggai and Rabbi Yitzḥak. Remember the verse from Ecclesiastes.
Perhaps, just perhaps, a little kindness can change everything.