Today, leaving shul after feeding our souls, we went to Kiddish where we fed our tummies, from whence we left for a lunch at Matthue’s where we knew we’d further stuff ourselves… As as we Yiddin, with our tzniut skirts on girls waists and kippot on guys heads left the kiddish for lunch, one of Lakeview’s less fortunate happened upon us.
Its not unusual to get asked for change on Broadway on Shabbes, and its difficult, if you believe in doing so, to NOT be able to give something because you don’t carry on Shabbat. Its trickier when its 20 degrees out and your nickels are the difference in bus fare that gets someone to a shelter and out of the cold.
But here were, in front of SHUL, dozens of people being asked and everyone averting their eyes and pretending not to see the needy in our midst. And we came from and went to stuffing ourselves. This woman asking for some change so she could get something to eat. Nobody did anything, and at best, someone honestly claimed to not carry money. But does that give us the right to excuse ourselves from action.
It made me a bit sick and pretty ashamed of our communty on some level. It has relative comfort and wealth, enough to provide a nice kiddish, but nobody thought enough to go inside, bust open a tzedakah box and hand her a few quarters, or go inside and grab some of the food we’d just eaten from.
I went back into the J and the only thing left on the table was coffee cake, which I loaded onto a plate and brought back outside and wished her blessings and warmth. I’m not be self-righteous- I’ve been hungry before. I’ve had to decide between paying a bill and buying food, and its not easy. Only one person saw me do it. I didn’t want to be told, “that was a nice thing to do.” It wasn’t. I felt obligated. Asking total strangers for a handout in the cold Chicago winter is not easy.
Perhaps instead of making a lavish kiddish for ourselves next Shabbes we should save the food to give out on Sunday to those who truly need it. We’re blessed to have food on our tables, Poteach et Yadecha, but that Bracha means we ought to make sure some of it gets onto the tables of those who need it most.
So watcha’ gonna do ’bout it?
I’m with you, I’ve had similar circumstances walking to shul on Broadway on shabbos and felt embarrassed to use the “Sorry, I don’t carry money with me on shabbos” excuse when approached for change (something I am normally quite apt to do). Actually the last time this happened the guy gave me his phone number because he needed new friends, which begged the question where exactly the phone call went to? Ok, immaterial. What I am getting at is, I definitely am sure to carry some change with me, even on shabbos. I think it is definitely of a bigger calling than fulfilling the need not to, even if it is meaningful to me.
Uhh, oh, and I agree entirely with the sentiment and the point that you are raising. Forgot to add that too.