Parshas Re’eih: Becoming a Matchmaker

“… When any of your brothers is poor, do not harden your heart or shut your hand against your needy brother. Open your hand generously, and extend to him any credit he needs to take care of his wants which he lacks.” -Deuteronomy 15:7-8

WHICH HE LACKS: This refers to finding him a wife. –Rashi ibid quoting Sifrei

What is our obligation to give Charity? The Torah informs us that our obligation is to ensure that the recipient’s essential needs are met. This biblical obligation is quite difficult to fulfill. The laws are very detailed, and many conditions must be met in order to fulfill this level of tzedaka. There is however one aspect of the biblical command that each and every one of us can fulfill. That is the obligation to help our fellow Jew finds his or her bashert. Rashi tells us that included in the mitzvah of tzedaka is the mitzvah of finding a shidduch for somebody. Becoming a matchmaker is not about hobby or profession. It is about fulfilling our obligation of tzedaka.

We are now in the zone between Tu B’Av and Yom Kippur. Both of those days were dedicated to finding shidduchim. Those days were the holiest and most festive days in the calendar. Nowadays, Tu B’Av and Yom Kippur are not specifically dedicated to shidduchim. Nonetheless, we have an obligation to our fellow brothers and sisters to find them shidduchim.

Practically speaking, how do we give the tzedaka of a shidduch? There are many ways of fulfilling this mitzvah. You can write up a list of all the single young man and ladies that you know, and brainstorm together with your spouse. An entire generation could result from your efforts. You could join a shidduch group, or you can create a shidduch group. You can call up connected friends for shidduch ideas. There are so many ways to ease up the situation. If we observed a hungry child on the street, there is no way that we would just click our tongues while continuing walking and say “nebach.” We would act immediately. Why is shidduchim any different? It is also tzedaka. We all have an obligation to do our part in helping out the shidduch crises.

As we usher in Elul this coming week, our focus becomes more centered on G-dly actions. We begin blowing the shofer and we also begin reciting the special chapter in Psalms of Ledavid. We are all seeking merits for the upcoming Rosh Hashana. There is a threefold plan of action for Rosh Hashana: Repentance, prayer, and charity. Although we may already be fulfilling our monetary obligations of tzedaka, let us work on the shidduch aspect of tzedaka this Elul. There are thousands upon thousands of singles eagerly awaiting your involvement. Please don’t let them down. In the merit of our efforts to bring happiness into these peoples lives, may G-d grant us only happiness and meaning in our lives. Amen.