When I was a kid, I remember going through old clothing and deciding what to donate. I picked out the things that I no longer wanted, often items that were old our out of style, and would donate them to a local shelter. I would pat myself on the back and feel good about giving what was essentially my leftovers to the poor. Choosing what to donate gives us a sense of agency, and it also allows us to believe that giving is a choice. This week’s parsha teaches that this type of practice isn’t actually good enough. It asks us to see giving as a regular part of our behavior.
We read this week about the practice of tithing: וְכָל-מַעְשַׂר בָּקָר וָצֹאן, כֹּל אֲשֶׁר-יַעֲבֹר תַּחַת הַשָּׁבֶט--הָעֲשִׂירִי, יִהְיֶה-קֹּדֶשׁ לַה'.לֹא יְבַקֵּר בֵּין-טוֹב לָרַע, וְלֹא יְמִירֶנּוּ; וְאִם-הָמֵר יְמִירֶנּוּ, וְהָיָה-הוּא וּתְמוּרָתוֹ יִהְיֶה-קֹּדֶשׁ לֹא יִגָּאֵל. All tithes of the herd or flock, of all that passes under the shepherd’s staff, every tenth one shall be holy to Adonai. They must not choose between good and bad, or make substitution for it. If they do make a substitution, both it and its substitute shall both be holy: it cannot be redeemed. -Vayikra 27:32-33
Rashi teaches that the shepherd, at the time of tithing, should hold out a staff with red dye on it. As the flock is let out of the pen, the shepherd counts, and each tenth animal is gently struck with the staff. The red mark on one tenth of the flock indicate the animals that are designated for sacrifices to God. In this way, tithing doesn’t even engage the act of choosing; it becomes a routine practice. The shepherd, as the verses above suggest, doesn’t choose which animal should be offered.
Our understanding of tithing has transformed into an act of giving to community, for the work of our communities is holy and Godly. Now, with so many institutions that comprise our communities, we do have to choose where to give. But if we are trying to figure out if to give, then we might be asking the wrong question. When giving a portion of our belongings is incumbent upon us, we relinquish the control of choosing if we give or not. This practice of tithing turns these gifts to those that need it and our community from a charity practice into a community obligation. This year, our community has given so enthusiastically to our annual campaign. In just a few weeks we’ve almost met our goal. I am so inspired by this community of individuals that sees themselves as a part of sustaining our holy community.
With Gratitude and Blessing, Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Sarit
