By: R’ Shmuel Winzelberg
Open, you shall open your hand to your brother (15:11) Why does the Torah use a double expression of ‘open’? The Gemara in Brachos (8a) states: A person should always enter into Shul the width of two doors and then Daven [pray]. Rashi explains – one should enter inside the width of two doors so that he not sit at the door, as this appears as if coming to Shul is a burden to him and he is sitting near the door so that he can leave. That is, it is "אני :(17:15( prohibited to stand by the door and Daven. It also states in Tehillim I, because of righteousness, I shall behold your face” – and“ –בצדק אחזה פניך" we learn from here that one should give Tzedakah [charity] before he Davens. Thus, the double expression of “open, you shall open” – these are the two doors (openings) that one must enter - a person should not Daven until he has entered into Shul and gave Tzedakah. (Umatok HaOhr)
