Musings Of A Shliach From Montana

By: Rabbi Chaim Bruk

Rabbi Chaim Bruk and Howard Schweitzer at the Mensch Club

Rabbi Chaim Bruk and Reb Shloime Werdiger

Rabbi Chaim Bruk and Mr. Ralph Herzka

Rav Shimon Shkop, zt’l, once said that giving tzedakah is comparable to a government employee who is entrusted with a small amount of government cash. All his other talents and smarts don’t matter in the eyes of his superior. All they want is for him to excel at his role of being a good custodian of the money under his control and give it out wisely.

When it comes to tzedakah, Rav Shimon said, you can excel at all aspects of Jewish life, but what Hashem is looking for is expertise in doing kindly to others, and when we do it well, He promotes us to even bigger positions where we can give to others with even greater resources.

I thought this was a great insight from Rav Shimon, because it’s kind of counterintuitive and I’ll explain why. There’s one man in my shul who’s been telling me for decades that he’ll donate to Chabad the minute he and his wife win the lottery. He meant it. It’s his way of saying that he wishes he could donate in a big way. But in truth, Hashem tells us that just giving tzedakah (whatever you can afford) is the source of all berachah that in turn, gives us more wealth. So, we must give what we can, even when it’s hard.

On Tuesday last week, we hosted our seventh consecutive Men’s Mensch Club, this time at the home of Stephen (Moshe ben Moshe), a beautiful Jew with a neshamah on fire. Fifteen guys of all ages sat around the back porch one cool summer evening saying l’chaim and smoking cigars, enjoying delicacies while discussing the mitzvah of tzedakah. It was a fascinating conversation, with everyone sharing input and asking questions and it lasted close to three hours. Are all donations considered tzedakah? Can a person save the whales yet not fulfill his Torah mandate to give charity? When does tzedakah cross over into enabling? How does this mitzvah relate to the mitzvah of giving interest-free loans? Where does ten percent come from? Does this just pertain to agriculture or also to cash income? Are there biblical commandments and rabbinic ones in this regard?

It was a mechaye to see Jews engaging in a conversation about a foundational Jewish concept like tzedakah with so many layers of application, allowing themselves to be guided along by my brother-in-law Rabbi Mendel and me. The chevra was engaged, interested, and awakened, and I believe we accomplished much good.

Interestingly, the Chofetz Chaim once saw a drunkard on the streets of Vilna who was surrounded by kids scoffing at him and his strange behavior. Suddenly, an adult walked over to the drunk and said, “I can’t understand how you fail to realize how your drinking makes you a public spectacle. If I was a drunk, I would at least do it in secret so no one should see me!” The Chofetz Chaim went on to explain: “When it comes to giving charity many people say that when they become wealthy, they will make sure to give more tzedakah. But in truth, when they do become wealthy, they also struggle with giving…”

I guess what I’m trying to say is that I don’t think Jewish philanthropists are appreciated enough. It’s a big deal to give lots of tzedakah and so many go above and beyond doing just that. Sure, they are appreciated by the organizations they support, but the gratitude should be more universal, not just localized. Years ago, I was flying to Moscow with Chavie for the bar mitzvah of a friend’s son, and I saw Mr. Lev Leviev. I walked up to him and thanked him for all he does for my fellow shluchim, including many friends, in the former Soviet Union. He seemed a bit shocked; I wasn’t seeking anything from him, I just wanted to say thank you. Doesn’t he deserve a warm hakaras hatov for all he does for Klal Yisroel? Even if our Chabad Lubavitch of Montana, the baby built by me and Chavie with blood, sweat, and tears is not on the receiving end of his tzedakah?

Last week I had the zechus to meet Reb Shlomo and Esther Werdiger. What this couple does for Klal Yisrael is unimaginable. The Kiddush Hashem done through his sports-oriented company, the unwavering support for the Agudah, his role in the growth of the Gerrer Chassidus, and much, much more. Having a close relationship with my Montana senators, I’ve worked with the Agudah on many issues, including school choice, daylight saving time, and more. Rabbi A.D. Motzen, Rabbi Avi Schnall, Reb Chaskel Bennett, these are warriors for Klal Yisrael who do things that are unique to Agudah, things that are not even on the to-do list of Chabad Lubavitch. Reb Shlomo is a patron and leader in the Agudah world and even while he’s on vacation is busy with the klal the entire time.

Can I not pause and marvel at what these men do and those who support them with heart and soul? Can I not marvel at what Aleph does for prison reform or what Tzedek does for IVF coverage? Can I not be blown away by the great work of Hatzalah, Chai Lifeline, Magen David Adom, Bonei Olam, RCCS, A-Time, HASC, Relief, Ohel, and a thousand other amazing organizations? Can the supporters of these organizations not marvel at what Chabad is doing in every corner of the world for the revival of Yiddishkeit and bringing neshamos back to Hashem? Can’t we all celebrate the growth and financial impact of each of these organizations? A dear friend of mine, Rabbi Yaakov Florans or “General Flo,” is one of the shluchim of Yehudi in Florida and does wonders for young Jews in South Florida. Shall I not celebrate his incredible impact? Wouldn’t the Rebbe, zt’l, be elated by so many organizations emulating Chabad in kiruv?

A few years ago, I had the honor of meeting Mr. Ralph Herzka, a man who carries so much of Klal Yisrael and Olam HaTorah on his shoulders. How could one not be blown away by his acts of chesed and investment in Judaism? What would the world of Torah learning look like without Ralph and the chevra who support Keren Olam HaTorah? How much limud haTorah has BMG brought to our people? Can I be in awe even if my focus is on a different aspect of necessity for Klal Yisrael?

A few months ago, Ralph was visiting Derech Yeshiva in Israel and ran into my buddy, Adam, who I helped prepare for his bar mitzvah during Covid, and today learns in yeshiva. Ralph heard of his Montana connection and treated him with so much warmth, love, and respect. Shall I not be inspired by Ralph and Co.? Giving tzedakah is a mitzvah, yet it’s hard to give so much away, especially when the donors get so many requests and aren’t always appreciated. Let’s take the time to say thank you, share the impact, and recognize that our community has awesome people, even if they choose not to support our Chabad Center.

And for those of you who do support us, thank you for being awesome and for lighting souls across Big Sky Country every single day. 

Rabbi Chaim Bruk is co-CEO of Chabad Lubavitch of Montana and spiritual leader of The Shul of Bozeman. For comments or to partner in our holy work, e-mail [email protected] or visit JewishMontana.com/Donate.