What is a ‘necessity?’

By Rabbi Baruch Lederman

SAN DIEGO –The Kapischnitzer Rebbe, Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Heschel (1888-1967), was renowned for his love of every Jew.

He lived in a very modest apartment. The furniture was simple and the floors were worn. Yet that was all he and his wife needed.

One day, the Rebbe’s daughter said to him, “The linoleum in the dining room is old and torn. Perhaps we can replace it?”

The Rebbe responded that they had no money at present for anything but necessities.

A few minutes later, the doorbell rang. A poor man stood in the doorway asking for a donation. The Rebbe greeted the man warmly
and gave him a generous sum.

The Rebbe’s daughter, who had observed the entire scene, stood there baffled.

She respectfully asked her father how he was able to give the man so much money, when just minutes before he had said there was
money only for necessities.

“Giving charity,” replied the Rebbe, “is a necessity.”

The Torah commands us to fulfill the mitzva of assisting the poor, as the verse says, “If there shall be a destitute person among you”
(Devarim 15:7).

The Kapischnitzer Rebbe clearly understood that every person must share what he has with others – even if he has only the bare
minimum for himself.  [The foregoing true story is documented in the Denver Kollel Torah Weekly]

Dedicated by Dr, & Mrs. Yehuda Trestman in memory of his mother Frieda Trestman, Fraidel Basha bas Shlomo, on the occasion of
her Yahrzeit.  … Condolences to the Goldstein Family on the loss of Rabbi Yosef ben Moshe Yehuda Goldstein ztl, who is survived by 10 children  and 130 grandchildren. Maaseh Avos Siman Libonim.

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Rabbi Lederman is spiritual leader of Congregation Kehillas Torah in San Diego.  He may be contacted via baruch.lederman@sdjewishworld.com