A Charitable Suggestion
A man from Argentina signed on a large business transaction, but he ended up losing large sums of money. He came to me with an interesting proposition. “Honored Rav, if you pray for me to be extricated from the mess I am in, then, when I recoup my losses, I promise one half of my gains to the Rav.”
I realized that if this were the case, I would become an instant millionaire. How many mitzvot I could accomplish with such sums! But I declined his generous offer. Such vast amounts of money do not suit me and can only give me a huge headache, if not worse. Mishlei states (30:8), “Give me neither poverty nor wealth, but allot me my daily bread.”
I blessed him warmly, as he had asked. I recommended that if he succeeds in rehabilitating his businesses, he should donate impressive amounts to Torah institutions and charity organizations.
