Avos 5:13

בס׳ד

אבות ה:יג

Four are the philanthropic traits: He should give, but others shouldn’t give - he’s tight with their money; Others should give, but he shouldn’t give - he’s tight with his own money; He should give, and others should give - here’s the pious! He shouldn’t give, and others shouldn’t give - here’s the wicked!

אַרְבַּע מִדּוֹת בְּנוֹתְנֵי צְדָקָה. הָרוֹצֶה שֶׁיִּתֵּן וְלֹא יִתְּנוּ אֲחֵרִים, עֵינוֹ רָעָה בְּשֶׁל אֲחֵרִים. יִתְּנוּ אֲחֵרִים וְהוּא לֹא יִתֵּן, עֵינוֹ רָעָה בְשֶׁלּוֹ. יִתֵּן וְיִתְּנוּ אֲחֵרִים, חָסִיד. לֹא יִתֵּן וְלֹא יִתְּנוּ אֲחֵרִים, רָשָׁע:

        This mishnah has a lot in common with Avos 5:10, which discussed ways in which people normally relate to their own and others’ property.  Now we learn about attitudes that bring people toward their obligation to give tzedakah.

        The motive of the person who wants to be the ONLY baal tzedakah in town is essentially one of self-display.  He wants his performance of this fundamental mitzvah to be an occasion for showing himself off.  His opposite is one who is perfectly happy to let others bear the burden of communal needs while he hoards his wealth for himself.  He doesn't have a problem with the concept of tzedakah in general, and he’d certainly accept it if, khas veshalom, he needed it. But, for now, he doesn’t want to be bothered.  Neither of these two attitudes reveals a wicked will, since both principles accept that tzedakah is a worthy act. It’s just that their personal agenda - for prestige of for wealth itself - clouds their judgement.

        A person who desires that the entire community, including himself, shoulder the burden of tzedakah is obviously taking the correct attitude.  But I’m surprised that the mishnah calls him hasid! This seems to be nothing more than willing what the Torah already requires.  Where’s the hasidus?  The Tosfos Yom Tov offers a good explanation.  The mishnah addresses a situation where the needs of the community are met by everyone’s contributions. Those who know this and give again in order for there to be a surplus of tzedakah are the hasidim the mishnah has in mind.  They are going beyond their halakhic obligations in order to ensure that no one might go wanting.

As for the person who wants to discontinue tzedakah altogether - it seems that calling him rasha is sort of an understatement. Also meshuga!

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