Kimcha DePischa

Pesach is an expensive holiday.

Together with the Exodus from Egypt, the last pennies exit the purse… Thank G-d, we all hope to spend our money on good things… meat and other delicacies for the holiday, Matzah and wine for the Seder night, new clothing and shoes for ourselves and our children, perhaps a fine piece of jewelry, a new toy or anything else which will bring joy to our family.

But how can we enjoy our purchases, when so many people around us can't afford them? Only if we take care of others at least to the same extent as we take care of ourselves, will we be able to celebrate the holiday in true happiness.

The Rambam instructs us in Hilchot Yom Tov (6:18) to share our holiday meals with the poor, lonely and broken-hearted, adding that neglecting this turns one’s Yom Tov enjoyment into selfish hedonism.

The custom of raising funds for Kimcha DePischa is not only to provide wheat or flour for Matzot, but rather to supply the poor with all their holiday needs, in a lavish, honorable way.

Many charity organizations and communal funds arrange mass food distributions prior to Pesach. These distributions are typically located in parking lots or close to synagogues, and the families are required to come to pick up the goods. Using shopping carts or shaky strollers, the young members of the family try to pile more and more sacks of potatoes, carrots and onions onto their cart. The eggs and grape juice require a separate, delicate trip. Many families do not have children of suitable age; either their children are too young, or they themselves are too elderly, alone or sick to embark on this difficult "shopping" trip. They must therefore forego the benefits of these distributions, just because they have no one to transport the goods for them.

The heads of the Birkat Hashem association took note of these families, understood their distress, and decided to do it differently. In addition to the regular distribution held at a designated location, families can receive shopping vouchers or checks, which they use to purchase exactly what they need in their local supermarket, while benefiting from home delivery service. This program thus combines the classic distribution, as seen in the pictures, with the allocation of shopping vouchers for individualized purchases.

The main advantages of this arrangement are:

• Dignity – there are families who are very sensitive to receiving help. Any assistance they accept brings on feelings of shame and humiliation. For these families, shopping vouchers are true lifesavers, since some would prefer to starve rather than to openly accept support.
• Personalization – each family can purchase the items they are accustomed to using, with the kashrut certification they rely upon, in the amounts they need and according to their habits. This avoids the waste of unwanted goods, and conversely, a situation where a family lacks the specific items it needs.
• Cost effectiveness – when vouchers are distributed rather than actual goods, we save on the costs of shipping and handling, storage, and hall rental. Thus, each donation goes directly to the needy - in full. Obviously, any work is carried out by the Birkat Hashem staff on a volunteer basis, solely for the sake of the mitzvah, and at no personal gain.
• Flexibility – large families, single parents or sick people may not necessarily be available to pick up the goods at the exact time of the distribution. They may also have a hard time getting about, and not be capable of lugging home the distributed goods. Vouchers allow for maximum flexibility, and provide the recipients with the widest choice of where and when to do their holiday shopping, in addition to benefiting from home delivery service.
• Wider Reach – the Birkat Hashem distributions are held at a designated location in the center of Jerusalem, yet some of the families benefitting from the Birkat Hashem services live in a very wide radius throughout Greater Jerusalem, the surrounding towns, and even further. Vouchers allow Birkat Hashem to reach a greater number of families, including those who don’t live in proximity of the distribution point.