משלי, פרק כ״א, פסוק כ״א

Proverbs 21:21Sefaria

רֹ֭דֵף צְדָקָ֣ה וָחָ֑סֶד יִמְצָ֥א חַ֝יִּ֗ים צְדָקָ֥ה וְכָבֽוֹד׃

A life dedicated to actively doing good for others brings a sweeping response from God, touching every part of a person's existence in this world and the next [מצודת דוד, אלשיך]. This commitment is not passive; it requires a person to hurry toward fulfilling a commandment, as if physically running after the opportunity [אבן עזרא]. This active chase consists of two distinct areas that together create a complete person. The first area involves justice and honesty, requiring a person to act with integrity in their character, thoughts, and all worldly matters [רלב״ג, עמנואל הרומי]. Another perspective views this specifically as fulfilling the commandments between a person and God [מלבי״ם]. The second area focuses on kindness between people [מלבי״ם]. It means going above and beyond, being forgiving and generous even toward those who may not seem to deserve it [עמנואל הרומי].

In exchange for these actions, God grants three distinct gifts. The first gift is life. In this world, this translates to a long, healthy existence [אבן עזרא, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. By choosing to be forgiving and kind, a person also avoids friction and shame, naturally leading to a peaceful life free from conflict [עמנואל הרומי]. This kind of life is considered a rare treasure that can even save a person from death [חומת אנך]. On a spiritual level, this gift represents eternal life in the World to Come [מלבי״ם, עמנואל הרומי].

The second gift is a divine form of charity. God ensures that all of the person's needs are met [אבן עזרא], granting them merit and blessing [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This is a higher level of giving, where God grants His kindness without deducting from the person's ultimate reward [אלשיך, מלבי״ם], keeping that reward safely stored for the future in the Garden of Eden [חומת אנך].

The final gift is honor. On an earthly level, people will naturally love and respect the person because of their good character [אבן עזרא, ביאור שטיינזלץ, עמנואל הרומי]. Alternatively, this honor comes in the form of financial wealth granted by God, which in turn brings the respect of others [אבן עזרא, אלשיך]. In the spiritual realm, this honor is the ultimate happiness of the eternal soul and a deep closeness to God [מלבי״ם, עמנואל הרומי]. It serves as a protective merit, shielding the person from harsh decrees without requiring anything in return [חומת אנך].

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