In the time of the holy tzadik Rabbi Pinchas HaLevi Horvitz, the Hafla'ah, there lived two brothers. One was excessively wealthy, but notoriously stingy refusing to donate to tzedakah. The other was impoverished and possessed very little, but whatever he did have, he generously distributed to the needy. The destitute brother's wife once confided to Rabbi Pinchas and complained that her husband is being reckless with their finances. She felt that he was neglecting their family by giving all his money to tzedakah, and leaving them hungry.
One day, the tzaddik summoned both the brothers. He first asked the impoverished brother, "Do you have a means of parnassah?" The poor man responded positively, "Hashem Yisborach nourishes and sustains me; He provides me with everything I need." Rabbi Pinchas then asked him, "If that's the case, why does your wife complain that you're neglecting your family and scattering all your money on charity?" The poor man felt ashamed and replied, "Rabbi, it's written (איוב ב ד) that "all that a man has he will give up for his life". I also saw what Chazal say in the Mishnah (ibid.), "Repent one day before your death". Who knows if this isn't my last day, Heaven forbid? That's why I give everything I have to tzedakah, because one never knows how much time they still have left in this world!"
Rabbi Pinchas then directed his attention to the wealthy brother and questioned him, "The Almighty has blessed you with wealth. Why don't you share some of it with your brother, who is poor and leads a life of misery and hardship? After all, it says, "וּמִבְּשָׂרְךָ לֹא תִתְעַלָּם", Do not ignore your (relatives, who are) your own flesh (ישעיה נח ז). The wealthy man responded, "Rabbi, the world assumes that I have an exorbitant amount of wealth. This is far from the truth! In total, all my assets amount to half a million marks, and my family and I require roughly 10,000 marks per year. I'm 50 years old, and if the Almighty prolongs my life until I reach 120, I have another 70 years to go. Thus, everything I have still doesn't add up to the 700,000 marks I require!"
Rabbi Pinchas pondered their responses, then said, "Listen to me, dear brothers. You, the poor man, who performs deeds of kindness out of fear that you'll die tomorrow I'll pray for you that you'll live a long life, so from now on, train yourself to do good deeds and mitzvos in moderation, and don't scatter all your possessions since you've pledged to provide for your wife and children."
He then told the wealthy man, "You are afraid to live till 120 and not be able to support your family? don't fret, because if you don't give tzedakah, you certainly not live till 120. If so, you can set aside some of your money for your brother..."
The Significance of the Present Moment
At times, one might find themselves in circumstances that make them feel like they cannot serve Hashem properly. These thoughts arise due to ingrained habits and routines that they have become familiar with. For instance, a person who is accustomed to learning בעיון, in depth, might sometimes feel, due to his current situation, that he cannot concentrate enough to learn as he normally would. This may lead him to believe that he cannot learn at all now.
Alternatively, someone who is accustomed to giving large amounts of money to tzedakah, but is now under financial stress, can feel like he is unable to help the poor because he cannot spend on them as much as he is used to.
However, it is essential to understand that every second, regardless of the circumstances, can be used to serve Hashem. One must try to set aside their usual habits and focus on what Hashem requires from them, whichever time and place they find themselves in. By doing so, one will realise that they can still connect to Hashem and serve Him in every situation, even in the most challenging of circumstances.
This advice is hinted at in the words that Hashem said when He revealed Himself to Moshe Rabeinu by the סנה on Mount Chorev: "שַׁל־נְעָלֶיךָ מֵעַל רַגְלֶיךָ כִּי הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה עוֹמֵד עָלָיו אַדְמַת־קֹדֶשׁ הוּא" "Take your shoes off your feet, because the place upon which you stand is holy soil". This can be interpreted as an instruction to "take away your strong attachment" (נעליך, from the same root as נעל, a lock) to your habits (רגליך, in the sense of רגילות, habits). We must be willing to relinquish our usual routines and familiar patterns in order to embrace the present moment. By doing so, we will realise that הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה עוֹמֵד עָלָיו