In Pirkei Avos we are told of four classes of people who give tzeddakah: There is the man who gives tzeddakah himself but does not wish others to give; there is the man who wishes others to give but refuses to give himself; there is one who will neither give nor desires to give, and finally there is the highest form – one who gives and wishes others to give.
In reality, however, the Talmud tells us about an even more admirable person, one who is truly rare. Not only does this person give and desire others to give, but he is not content to sit back and wait until others come to him seeking tzeddakah. He actively pursues the poor; he actively chases tzeddakah. Such a man was the great Rabi Elazar of Kfar Bartosa.
His Daughter’s Wedding
Rabi Elazar of Kfar Bartosa was famous throughout the length and breadth of Israel for his great scholarship. He was even more famous, however, for the fantastic amounts of tzeddakah that he gave. Never was a man turned away if he needed help nor were the gabbaei tzedaka safe from him. He would actively seek them out demanding to know if there were poor who were in need of assistance.
As the years went by, the daughter of Rabi Elazar reached marriageable age and, with Hashem’s help, she chose a fine groom, a young man who was learned and good. As her wedding day approached, Rabi Elazar, his heart overflowing with happiness and thanks to the Almighty, took some money and set off for town to buy his daughter a gift.
The Gabbaei Tzedakkah
As he walked down the dusty road he saw the familiar figures of the gabbaei tzedakkah up ahead. At that moment they saw him too, and they said to each other: “Here comes Rabi Elazar. He has already given us far beyond his means. Let us hasten and escape before he insists on giving us even the money he set aside for his daughter’s wedding present.”
It was too late, however; Rabi Elazar had seen them and easily caught them.
“Worthy gabbaim, peace be unto you.”
“Upon you, may there be peace, ” answered the gabbaim.
“Tell me, I pray you, where are you going? Undoubtedly, there must be some mitzvah which impels you on your way.”
The gabbaim looked at the ground and hesitated to answer.
“Come now, I insist. Tell me what errand of mercy you are on so that I too may have a share in the mitzvah.”
The gabbaim saw that they had no option and, sighing, they replied: “There is an orphaned young man in town and we have found for him a wonderful modest young maiden who is also an orphan. They are, unfortunately, poverty-stricken, and we are going about attempting to collect money so that they might rent an apartment and buy some furniture.”
When Rabi Elazar heard these words, he exclaimed: “What a wonderful mitzvah! And to think that you wanted to keep me from having a part in it. Assuredly, these two unfortunates take precedence over my daughter, who has a father and mother to watch over and care for her.”
And without further ado, Rabi Elazar reached into his pocket, pulled out all his money except for one coin, and forced it into the unwilling hands of the helpless gabbaei tzedakkah.
Smiling to himself, Rabi Elazar then proceeded on his way.
The Wheat
Realizing that he still had to bring something home for his daughter, even though it was not much, Rabi Elazar pondered carefully what to buy. Walking about the market place, he spied an old man selling wheat. Rabi Elazar bought wheat with his last coin and took it home, went immediately to the granary and placed the handful of wheat there. Locking the door, he then set off for the Beis Medrash to learn and pray.