In our Torah portion, Re’eh, we find the mitzvah of Aliyah L’regel—the pilgrimage to Jerusalem—on Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot. The Torah commands not to come empty-handed: "...the donation [Hebrew: nidvat yadcha] you can afford to give...." (Devarim 16:10). Later, the Torah repeats the command: "...he shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed. [Every] man [shall bring] as much as he can afford [literal translation: according to the gift of his hand—matnat yado], according to the blessing of the Lord your G-d which He has given you." (Devarim 16: 16-17]
At first glance, these verses seem identical in content. However, there is a difference between them. In the first verse, the Torah uses the wording for “donation” — “nidvat yadecha,” while in the second verse it uses the wording for gift — “matnat yado.” What is the difference between a donation and a gift, and why is the command repeated?
Obligation, Not Kindness
There is a fundamental question: how can it be that there are poor and needy people in the world, if G-d provides sustenance for all His creatures? As we say in Birkat HaMazon, “For He, benevolent G-d, provides nourishment and sustenance for all...”
Indeed, G-d ensures the livelihood of all beings, but the distribution of sustenance occurs in two ways: the wealthy receive their share of abundance directly, while the poor receive theirs through the charity given to them by the wealthy.
Contrary to the common belief that charity is a noble act in which the donor gives his own money to another, the truth is quite different: the money of the wealthy person is not truly his. It was given to him as a trust, so that he could provide for the poor. When he gives charity, he is fulfilling his duty. That is why the term used is tzedakah—related to the word tzedek (justice or righteousness).
Give Even When It's Hard
To such a person, the Torah says: "[Every] man [shall bring] according to the gift of his hand." Although giving charity is an obligation, one should regard it as a gift and give it to the poor with a pleasant and cheerful demeanor, just as one gives a gift. As our Sages said: “Whoever gives, gives with a generous eye.”
When the giving is done with warmth and kindness, G-d generously rewards the rich person, as our Sages taught: “One who gives a coin to a poor person is blessed with six blessings; one who consoles and uplifts him is blessed with eleven blessings.”
But even someone who has not been blessed with wealth is still required to give charity. He might argue that his livelihood is limited and barely covers the needs of his household. To him, the Torah says: "Nidvat yadcha"—even if the halachic obligation is uncertain, act generously and give beyond what is required.
A Faithful Promise
That is why the Torah first commands "nidavat yadcha"—a command aimed at those who are not wealthy. Then it states "[every] man according to the gift of his hand," alluding to the reward promised for giving charity.
When a Jew who has not been blessed with great wealth gives charity in the spirit of "nidvat yadcha", G-d promises that he will merit great wealth and will eventually be counted among those described in the verse "[every] man according to the gift of his hand,” and be able to give generously from abundance and blessing.
(from the teachings of the Rebbe, Torat Menachem, Vol. 44, p. 266, translated from Sichot HaShevua)
