The laws and stories that revolve around tzedaka are many. They all aim to change human nature by changing the way we think about poverty and the poor:
A rich man once came to the Maggid of Kiznitz. “What are you in the habit of eating?” the Maggid asked.
“I am modest in my demands,” the rich man reply. “Bread and salt and a drink of water all that I need.”
”What are you thinking of??” the rabbi reproved him. “You must eat roast meat and drink mead like all rich people.” He did not let the man go until he promised to do as he said. Later Hasidim asked him the reason for this odd request.
“Not until he eats meat,” said the Maggid, “will he realize that the poor man needs bread. As long as he himself eats bread, he will think the poor man can live on stones.”
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