This Saturday, the 20th of Cheshvan, is the birthday of Rabbi Sholom Dov Ber (1860-1920), the fifth Chabad Lubavitch Rebbe.
A beautiful story is told about an important lesson that Rabbi Sholom Dov Ber (known as the “Rebbe Rashab”) taught his son, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok, who was later to become his successor.
Once, when Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok set out on a journey, the Rebbe Rashab asked him to try to do a certain favor for one of the chasidim, a businessman, who was in need of help.
When Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok returned he told his father: “I did everything you told me to do, and the favor to that man I did meticulously.”
“You err,” said the Rebbe Rashab. “You did a favor to yourself, not to him. G-d did a favor to him, by arranging for an emissary, such as yourself, through whom the will of Divine Providence could be realized.”
The Rebbe Rashab was teaching us a lesson that permeates the whole of Judaism. When we do a mitzva, especially one which ostensibly allows us to help another person, we are G-d’s emissaries. And, more than helping the other person we are, in essence, helping ourselves.
Tzedaka, charity, is a prime example. When we give tzedaka it should be with the knowledge and understanding that G-d has bestowed upon us a privilege--the privilege to administer His money in a righteous manner. Certainly, this is the reason why our Sages teach, “More than charity does for the poor person, it does for the rich person.”
This attitude can and should permeate all “favors” we do for others. In addition to being the correct attitude, it stops us from feeling self-righteous!
