יום א Date: 28 Adar II, 5774 (3/30/14) – Sukkah#55 {Eliezer}
Ritva: The “Day 6” foundations shaking alludes to the maximum 6,000 year limit that the world will exist until and then be shaken (when Moshiach will come and bring Ultimate redemption and revelation). Rashi in Sanhedrin [quoting GM’ Avoda Zara & Rosh Hashona] explains the first 2,000 years are Tohu (emptiness), next 2,000 (to 4,000) years are Torah (when Avraham recognized/starting spreading Judaism), and last 2,000 years are the days of Moshiach (Chazon Ish: after 4,000 years there were no longer new insights to the Torah because this is when R’ Yehudah canonized the Mishnayos and all principles were set. This is why Tanoyim cannot argue on any previous Mishnaic teachings anymore).
E’s Lesson: Tzedakah (like giving tithes) is mandated by Jewish law. Hashem “enforces” it by shaking people up. If a person does not willingly give 10% of his pocketed money, G-d will turn him upside and shake him until all that “extra” money falls out of him. Our salaries are set at the New Year and G-d adds 10% on top of that to a person, which is really His money (all is Hashem’s anyway, but with this we have a direct commandment what to do with). We become a Sheliach (a messenger) of G-d to disperse this money appropriately. We even get rewarded doubly for doing so! Firstly, we get the Mitzvah fulfillment with reward in the world to come. Secondly, Hashem “gives us back” that exact 10% we spent for us to then actually keep! How could we ever NOT want to give Tzedakah?! Conversely (as if the double reward wasn’t motivation enough), if we do not willingly give it, G-d forcefully makes us lose it. This may be through accidents, damages, extra bills ect… Then, even after we have lost it, we still are required to give an additional 10% because we never actually “gave” it! The choices are clear, we can either double down on delivered doses of delicious delicacies or deal with dangerous double dastardly disasters. But either way, please, never think of Tzedakah (fulfilling righteousness) as “Charity.”