Parshas Bishalach

"When that poor person came asking for a coat, you gave him a nice
one!! I was going to give him your old one!!
" He already had an old one, and since I could afford it, I gave him a
good coat."

Our sages (Shabbos 133b) understand "This is my G-d and I will
glorify Him." (Shemos 15:2) as, when doing G-d's commandments, do them in a
beautiful manner according to your means. The mitzva, whether it relates to
other people or to G-d, must be fulfilled properly and packaged nicely :
something to be proud of.

Don't forget the smile !!

Have a great Shabbos !!
____________________________________________________

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Rabbi Flom:
Parshas Bishalach

"When that poor person came asking for a coat, you gave him a nice
one!! I was going to give him your old one!!"

Actually tried to do that twice, but the first time I was nineteen and had just spent part of my paycheck on a lavender colored down coat. A woman on the bus said, "It must be nice to have a new coat." Hers was a thin suede little thing which wasn't suitable to the northern snowy weather. My heart gave a learch and tears popped into my eyes. I said, "Oh, I can buy another one, do you want to trade?" She became very embarrassed and said no all three times I asked and then moved. The second time was trying to give a grey silk blouse to a dear friend and older lady who said she loved grey. She turned around and gave it to someone else and also acted embarrassed.

So maybe it's easier to give than to receive?

B"H
Mrs. Hawke,

I just feel pressed to respond here. Your story was moving. It only confirms what the Sages have said: "The people of Israel are bashful, compassionate and benevolent."

David

Hawke wrote

"Actually tried to do that twice, but the first time I was nineteen and had just spent part of my paycheck on a lavender colored down coat. A woman on the bus said, "It must be nice to have a new coat." Hers was a thin suede little thing which wasn't suitable to the northern snowy weather. My heart gave a learch and tears popped into my eyes. I said, "Oh, I can buy another one, do you want to trade?" She became very embarrassed and said no all three times I asked and then moved. The second time was trying to give a grey silk blouse to a dear friend and older lady who said she loved grey. She turned around and gave it to someone else and also acted embarrassed.

So maybe it's easier to give than to receive?"


I commend your sensitivities to others and attempts of chessed.
Just to touch on 2 points about doing chessed :
1)My wife taught me a great lesson. Most people when asked if they need help will say "no". Therefore when offering help, "no" should not be a possible answer.ie. Don't ask if you can give them a potato kugel. Rather say," I made an extra kugel, do you want the potato or lockshin kugel?"
2)I have noticed that big baalei chessed always make the recipient feel like he is doing the giver a favor.
Keep up the good work. Good Shabbos.
Chaim Flom