Parashat: Shavuot

Parashat: Shavuot
Torah Reading: Deuteronomy 14:22–16:17

If, however, there is a needy person among you…do not harden your heart and shut your hand against your needy kin. Rather, you must open your hand and lend whatever is sufficient to meet the need…For there will never cease to be needy ones in your land, which is why I command you: open your hand to the poor and needy kin in your land.

— Deuteronomy 15:7-8, 11

The Festival of Shavuot offers us a break from the regular cycle of torah portions, with readings that include this section from the book of Deuteronomy. Here we are reminded that despite efforts to construct a just society, there will always be those in need of additional assistance, and we will always be obliged to assist. Cautioning us against the assumption that we know best what another needs, Sifrei Devarim (a midrashic collection from Mishnaic times) interprets the text this way: Sufficient for his need in that which he lacks — This implies: you must provide him even with a horse to ride on and a slave to run before him (if he was accustomed to such and now feels the lack of them).

— Rachel Petroff Kessler