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Why does the Midrash call stopping charity after establishing a pattern 'robbing from the poor'? Extended kindness creates relationships with inherent obligations, not just transactions. When assistance suddenly stops, it robs the recipient's self-esteem by revealing the relationship was never genuine—teaching us that consistent chesed (חסד) builds bonds we must honor.
This shiur provides a profound psychological analysis of the Torah (תורה)'s commandment in Parshas Behar regarding helping one's brother before he completely falls into poverty. Rabbi Zweig begins by examining Rashi (רש"י)'s interpretation that we should not wait until someone collapses financially but should help when they first begin to struggle, preventing the need for much greater assistance later. The Rav explores why this principle applies beyond mere business contexts to all family and personal relationships. He introduces a fascinating Midrash that interprets 'don't rob from the poor' as referring to someone who stops giving charity after establishing a pattern of giving. This seems paradoxical - how can failing to perform a positive commandment (giving charity) constitute the negative transgression of theft?
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Parshas Behar - Vayikra 25:35
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