98 —הערך הייחודי של צדקה למטרות רוחניות באלול

Shalom u'Vrachah!

...And I will conclude with a matter relevant to the day: Our Sages said, "Ish l're'eihu u'matanos la'evyonim" (each person to his friend and gifts to the poor) — the initial letters spell Elul, because at this time people are especially diligent in giving tzedakah. The Rambam writes (Laws of Teshuvah, ch. 3, halachah 4) that all of Israel customarily increase their giving of tzedakah from Rosh Hashanah until Yom Kippur more than during the rest of the year.

If this is so regarding tzedakah that brings one to life in this world, how much more so regarding tzedakah that brings one to life in the World to Come, as is evident from the Mishnah (Bava Metzia 33a). Furthermore, there is an additional advantage to spiritual tzedakah over material tzedakah: with the latter, there can sometimes be a stumbling block if the poor are not worthy individuals, as our Sages said (Bava Basra 9b), 'He caused them to stumble with unworthy people so they would not receive reward.' All the more so if charity funds are used to lead children away from Judaism. In contrast, with tzedakah related to life in the World to Come, such concerns do not exist.

And certainly when it comes to educating children and strengthening adults in fulfilling Torah and mitzvos — then there is no room even for the concern about teaching Torah to an unworthy student (Chullin 133a), especially since this prohibition may only apply if it can be done another way, as stated in Shulchan Aruch by Admor HaZaken, Laws of Torah Study ch. 4 gloss s.k. 1.

May it be G‑d's will that through "Ki lecha Hashem haTzedakah" (for Yours, L‑rd, is righteousness), you be inscribed and sealed among all Israel for a good and sweet year.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that giving tzedakah for spiritual purposes during Elul has unique merit and avoids pitfalls found in material charity. Supporting Torah education and mitzvah observance ensures lasting benefit for both giver and recipient.