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Deuteronomy 15:7 - Open heart, open hand to poor

Deuteronomy 15:7 - דברים 15:7

Hebrew Text

כִּי־יִהְיֶה בְךָ אֶבְיוֹן מֵאַחַד אַחֶיךָ בְּאַחַד שְׁעָרֶיךָ בְּאַרְצְךָ אֲשֶׁר־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לָךְ לֹא תְאַמֵּץ אֶת־לְבָבְךָ וְלֹא תִקְפֹּץ אֶת־יָדְךָ מֵאָחִיךָ הָאֶבְיוֹן׃

English Translation

If there be among you a poor man, one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God gives thee, thou shalt not harden thy heart, nor shut thy hand from thy poor brother:

Transliteration

Ki-yihyeh vecha evyon me'achad achecha be'achad she'arecha be'artzecha asher-Adonai Elohecha noten lach lo teametz et-levavcha velo tikpotz et-yadecha me'achicha ha'evyon.

Hebrew Leining Text

כִּֽי־יִהְיֶה֩ בְךָ֨ אֶבְי֜וֹן מֵאַחַ֤ד אַחֶ֙יךָ֙ בְּאַחַ֣ד שְׁעָרֶ֔יךָ בְּאַ֨רְצְךָ֔ אֲשֶׁר־יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ נֹתֵ֣ן לָ֑ךְ לֹ֧א תְאַמֵּ֣ץ אֶת־לְבָבְךָ֗ וְלֹ֤א תִקְפֹּץ֙ אֶת־יָ֣דְךָ֔ מֵאָחִ֖יךָ הָאֶבְיֽוֹן׃
כִּֽי־יִהְיֶה֩ בְךָ֨ אֶבְי֜וֹן מֵאַחַ֤ד אַחֶ֙יךָ֙ בְּאַחַ֣ד שְׁעָרֶ֔יךָ בְּאַ֨רְצְךָ֔ אֲשֶׁר־יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ נֹתֵ֣ן לָ֑ךְ לֹ֧א תְאַמֵּ֣ץ אֶת־לְבָבְךָ֗ וְלֹ֤א תִקְפֹּץ֙ אֶת־יָ֣דְךָ֔ מֵאָחִ֖יךָ הָאֶבְיֽוֹן׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

General Context and Meaning

The verse (Devarim 15:7) addresses the mitzvah of tzedakah (charity) and the obligation to assist a fellow Jew in need. It emphasizes the prohibition against withholding help from a poor person within one's community. The Torah uses strong language—"לֹא תְאַמֵּץ אֶת־לְבָבְךָ" (do not harden your heart) and "וְלֹא תִקְפֹּץ אֶת־יָדְךָ" (do not shut your hand)—to convey the severity of neglecting this commandment.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that "אֶבְיוֹן" (poor man) refers to someone in extreme poverty, more destitute than an ordinary "עָנִי" (needy person). He notes that the phrase "מֵאַחַד אַחֶיךָ" (one of your brethren) teaches that one must prioritize helping fellow Jews over non-Jews, as derived from the principle of "עניי עירך קודמים" (the poor of your city take precedence).

Regarding "לֹא תְאַמֵּץ אֶת־לְבָבְךָ," Rashi states that this warns against rationalizing one's refusal to give, such as by claiming the poor person is undeserving. The hardening of the heart leads to the physical act of withholding assistance ("לֹא תִקְפֹּץ אֶת־יָדְךָ").

Rambam's Perspective

In Hilchot Matnot Aniyim (Laws of Gifts to the Poor), the Rambam (Maimonides) elaborates on this verse, codifying the obligation to give tzedakah as a positive commandment. He emphasizes that even a poor person who receives charity must also give to others (Hilchot Matnot Aniyim 7:5). The Rambam also discusses the eight levels of tzedakah, with the highest being enabling self-sufficiency.

Talmudic and Midrashic Insights

  • The Talmud (Bava Batra 10a) teaches that withholding tzedakah is akin to idolatry, as it demonstrates a lack of trust in Hashem's providence.
  • The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim 116) states that the phrase "בְּאַרְצְךָ אֲשֶׁר־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לָךְ" reminds us that the land is a gift from Hashem, and we must emulate His kindness by sharing with others.
  • Chazal (Ketubot 68a) teach that one who ignores a poor person's plea will, in turn, find their own prayers unanswered.

Halachic Implications

Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 247) rules that one must give tzedakah according to their means, with a minimum of 10% of income being the ideal (ma'aser kesafim). The verse's warning against hardening the heart is understood as a prohibition against delaying or minimizing assistance when one has the ability to help.

Moral and Ethical Lessons

The Or HaChaim highlights that the verse stresses emotional and practical generosity: "לֹא תְאַמֵּץ אֶת־לְבָבְךָ" refers to cultivating compassion, while "לֹא תִקְפֹּץ אֶת־יָדְךָ" mandates action. True tzedakah requires both a willing heart and an open hand.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Ketubot 67b
The verse is cited in a discussion about the obligation to give charity and the prohibition against withholding assistance from the poor.
📖 Sotah 38a
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the importance of compassion and generosity towards the poor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 15:7 teach us about helping the poor?
A: Deuteronomy 15:7 teaches us not to harden our hearts or close our hands to a poor person among our people. According to Rashi, this means we must not ignore their needs or withhold assistance. The Torah emphasizes compassion and responsibility toward those in need within our community.
Q: Why does the Torah say 'within any of thy gates' when referring to helping the poor?
A: The phrase 'within any of thy gates' refers to the cities or communities in the Land of Israel. Rambam explains in Hilchot Matnot Aniyim that this teaches us our obligation to help the poor in our immediate surroundings first, as local needs take priority in Jewish law (Tzedakah).
Q: What does 'do not harden your heart' mean in practical terms?
A: The Talmud (Ketubot 68a) explains that 'do not harden your heart' means we must not become indifferent to the suffering of others. The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim) adds that this includes both emotional empathy and taking action—such as giving charity (Tzedakah) or offering other forms of support.
Q: How does this verse apply to giving charity (Tzedakah) today?
A: The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 247) rules based on this verse that we must give Tzedakah according to our means and never refuse a sincere request from a poor person. The Chofetz Chaim teaches that this mitzvah remains binding in all times and places, reminding us to be generous and kind-hearted.
Q: Why does the verse specify 'one of thy brethren' when speaking about the poor?
A: Rashi explains that 'one of thy brethren' emphasizes our special responsibility toward fellow Jews. The Sefer Hachinuch (Mitzvah 479) adds that this creates a bond of mutual care, teaching us that the Jewish people are like one family obligated to support each other in times of need.