Reeh 15:8 · unit 4

TT #295 · Parashas Reeh · Sixth Aliyah · Passuk 15:8

The Complete Passuk

כִּֽי־פָתֹ֧חַ תִּפְתַּ֛ח אֶת־יָדְךָ֖ ל֑וֹ וְהַעֲבֵט֙ תַּעֲבִיטֶ֔נּוּ דֵּ֚י מַחְסֹר֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֶחְסַ֖ר לֽוֹ׃

But you shall surely open your hand to him, and you shall surely lend him sufficient for his need that he lacks.

Torah Temimah points to Kesubos / Bava Metzia.

Core Text

דֵּי מַחְסֹרוֹ – מְלַמֵּד שֶׁאַתָּה מְצֻוֶּה עָלָיו לְפַרְנְסוֹ וְאִי אַתָּה מְצֻוֶּה עָלָיו לְעַשְּׁרוֹ.

English: "Sufficient for his need" — this teaches that you are commanded to support him, but you are not commanded to make him wealthy.

On the daf / in context: Charity must meet the recipient’s actual lack, not elevate him beyond his previous standard of living.

Derash on the verse (Kesubos) — support, not enrichment.

One is obligated to supply what the poor person lacks, but not to make him rich.