Rosh Hashanah is a time for reflecting on how the previous year went and looking to improve one’s behavior. It is a time, the Rabbis tell us, that Hashem decides what will take place in the coming year. Will one receive a pay raise, lose a job, be healthy or sick, rich, or poor, live or die, etc. And we all from know the refrain of the hauntingly beautiful prayer Unetanah Tokef that Teshuvah (repentance), Prayer, and tzedakah will avert the decree. The Rabbis were trying to impart the important principle that these are three necessary steps towards influencing Heaven to bless us.

The third step of tzedakah is crucial to understand. How should we accomplish this worthy goal?

The Torah lays out the mitzvah (commandment) of tzedakah in the following verses: Deuteronomy 15:7–8:

If, however, there is a needy person among you, one of your kindred in any of your settlements in the land that Hashem, your G-d is giving you, do not harden your heart and shut your hand against your needy kindred. Rather, you must open your hand and lend whatever is sufficient to meet the need.

The Rabbis explain that “needy kindred” refers to someone who has temporarily hit hard times. They explain the phrase “meet the need” to mean that “we must even supply a servant to run ahead of the person supplying the help and proclaim that he is on the way.” But they continue to explain that if the needy person is already soliciting funds from the general fund, then individuals need not supply his every need, as he has become accustomed to accepting charitable funds.

Recently, I went shopping for some basics and was shocked by the prices. I understand that there are economic factors that have driven up prices, but it makes it very difficult to buy food. A small plastic bag of groceries that include neither meat nor fish cost me over $30. It is no surprise that people are finding it hard to make ends meet.

I spoke with a person who was working full-time, earning $19 per hour, asking for help with rent. She has seven children and told me her food bill ranges between $800–$1000 monthly. A few years ago, her salary would have been considered good, but now, sadly, it’s bordering on poverty, unless you live by yourself.

The mission of the Pantry program is to supplement the client’s income and to enable them to buy food that they need. Your donation will help us help others so that they don’t have to make a decision to either pay rent or buy food. They will be able to do both things.

Please donate what you can and encourage others to follow suit. Every donation, no matter the size, will get us closer to our goal. In the merit of your donation, May Hashem grant you a healthy, sweet, and prosperous Rosh Hashanah. May you and your entire family be sealed in the Book of Life.