Why doesn’t Hashem make every person wealthy?
The Medrash says that this question was asked by none other than Dovid Hamelech. Hashem’s response was, “If everyone were equally wealthy, to whom would the wealthy give tzedakah?”
The Toldos points out that this explains why only some people are wealthy, so they can share their wealth with those who are struggling. But the question applies to much more than just wealth? Why are some people smarter, and some less so? Why are some people more successful in Torah learning, and some less so? The same question can be asked about so many other things as well. Why not create every Yid with the equal ability to excel in Torah and mitzvos!
The Toldos answers that if it were only wealth that could be shared with those who struggle financially, how would a poor person do chessed or give tzedakah? Therefore, Hashem created a system where every person has some strengths and some weaknesses, so they can give, in the areas where they excel, to those who struggle, and receive in areas where they struggle.
In other words, Hashem wants every single one of us to be a baal chessed, to play a part in “olam chessed yibaneh,” build a world of kindness. Just as Hashem is a Giver, always doing kindness for His creations, He wants us to join the role of givers, and to give whatever we can to those who are lacking.
This can give us a whole new perspective in how we look at others who are lacking. It’s not that “Reuven is poor,” “Shimon is sick,” “Levi is struggling with his learning” — should I help them? Rather, if you have the ability to help another Yid, that could be the very reason the Yid needs help!
Instead of wondering why the Yid is going through something challenging, see that need as an invitation from Hashem to do chessed. If you were given the ability and resources to help out, you are being given the chance to fulfil your mission in this world, to play your part in olam chessed yebaneh.
And if you are going through a challenge, instead of thinking “Oy, now I have to ask others for help (or worse, avoiding to ask for help), remember that the very purpose of this challenge may be to give another Yid the opportunity to do chessed and help you out. Through this, you are also playing an important role in olam chessed yebaneh!
The bottom line is that every one of us has a strength we can use to help others who are struggling in that area. Think about your strengths, and others who may be lacking in those areas, and help them out. And think about your weaknesses, and who excels in those areas, and go learn from them!
Reuven might get financial help from Shimon, while teaching Torah to Levi, while Levi heals Shimon’s illness. You might learn how to daven better from the guy who sits near you in shul, who learns how to be more patient from you. Eizehu chochom, halomed mikol adam; who is wise, one who learns from every person (Pirkei Avos).
In this way, the Jewish people can work together in an endless loop of chesed, partnering with Hashem in building a world of kindness.
If you have the ability to help another Yid, that could be the very reason the Yid needs help!
This article was found in Nekuda Tova Nekuda Tova Listing.