אשרי משכיל אל דל—הוי מסתכל בו היאך לזכות עמו. ר' יונה בשעה שראה בן טובים שירד מנכסיו והוא מתבייש לקח, היה הולך אצלו ואומר לו: בשביל ששמעתי, שנפלה לך ירושה במדינת הים, הא לך חפץ זה, לכשאתה מתרוח אתה פורע לי. משנטל היה אומר לו: מתנה לך נתתיו.
“Blessed is he who considers the poor” (Psalms 41:2). Look carefully into the situation to determine how best to help him. R. Yonah once saw that a wealthy man who lost his wealth was too embarrassed to accept charity. Whereupon he visited him and told him: “Since I heard that you’ve just received a large inheritance from overseas, take this object in the meantime. When things will be better, you’ll pay me back.” When the man took the object, R. Yonah told him that he gave it as a gift.
[Hartman translation]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. How did R. Yonah help the formerly wealthy man? Did he do the right thing?
2. In what ways does embarrassment prevent some from seeking assistance? How can we anticipate this and find creative ways to help those who need it?
Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)