The Commandment of Helping Your Brother
Question
Hello,
Regarding the commandment 'And if your brother becomes impoverished,' what are the details of this commandment? Does it mean to help every Jew who is on the verge of falling?
Answer
Hello
The commandment 'and you shall support him' is part of the obligations of the mitzvah of charity.
Rashi explains that there is an additional aspect to this, beyond the mere act of giving charity, there is a special obligation to support a person who is experiencing financial difficulties 'before he falls'.
For example, if a person is struggling to repay debts, it is obligatory to assist him before he goes bankrupt, and in this way, we can stabilize his situation more easily than if we had to restore him after bankruptcy.
Answered by
Answers questions at Rav Amram Fried's Beit Horaah
Smicha "Yoreh-Yoreh" (2012), Rav Amram Fried's Beit Horaah
Orach Chaim, Yoreh Deah
About the Rabbi
Source
Source: Rashi on Vayikra 25:35
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