Is it not to share your bread with the hungry (Yeshaya 58;7)
The Malbim explains that even if you are only in the possession of one loaf of bread, you should cut it in half, and give half of it to a hungry person.
What if half the loaf is clean and of superior quality, while the other half is less so?
The better part, the choicest piece, should be given to the hungry!
We all want the best
To excel in our studies, to live in the best neighborhood, to look our best… We aspire to raise our children in the best manner possible. We always strive for excellence, for the highest quality. This is the basic principle guiding the Birkat Hashem association since its inception.
Not another donation of surpluses, Grade C vegetables, and last season's stock.
Should a widow have to deal with a crate of poor-quality fish, or a case of honey?
Should an orphan be forced to choose his Bar Mitzvah suit from the discounted rack of unpopular designs?
Should an orphan bride be reduced to setting up her new home with household essentials from unwanted surpluses, just because she doesn't have the means to buy anything better?
Birkat Hashem doesn't think so. We give the best, and with dignity!
A widow valiantly struggling to get by, day-by-day, ought to get the best cuts of meat and Norwegian salmon fillets.
An orphan whose father is not there to teach him the Torah reading, deserves to wear on his big day a perfectly suited, up-to-date, expensive suit.
A bride who has no mother to share her exciting shopping sprees with, should choose the prettiest linen from the best store in town.
And those who have nothing to begin the month with, will receive checks for a considerable amount or shopping vouchers for the major supermarkets, in a dignified way, without suffering humiliation or being made to feel needy.
Because we give, with dignity!
הכנסת כלה
כל המסכנים, האומללים והנדכאים עומדים בתור ארוך, משוועים לתרומה ולמתת, ובסוף התור עומדת נכלמת כלה מבוישת, אין לה כסף להשכרת שמלה, לרכישת נדוניה לבית החדש...
ואנו מצווים לדלג על התור כולו, להגיע אל הכלה ההיא- ולמסור לה את הצרור שבידינו,
כי אין לנו צדקה גדולה מזו!
כך פוסק השולחן ערוך, וכך נוהגים לפיו ראשי עמותת ברכת השם.