What are the implications of "Ki Yih'yeh b'cha Evyon"?
Rashi (citing the Sifri): The word ?Evyon? implies that the more Ta'ev (desirous - needy) takes precedence to receive Tzedakah. 1
Midrash Tana'im: The word "b'cha" implies that if one has enough only to finance oneself for a short time, one takes precedence over others - and need not give it to others.
Sifri: The word ?Ki Yih?yeh b?cha Evyon? precludes Nochrim, whom one is not obligated (min ha?Torah) 2 to give Tzedakah..
Gur Aryeh: Which explains why the Torah uses the word "Evyon", even though normally, it says 'Ani'. See also Torah Temimah, note 19, who discusses the different terms for a poor man.
Refer to 15:11:4:1*.
What are the implications of "me'Achad Achecha"?
Rashi: It implies that your paternal brother, 1 takes precedence over your maternal brother.
See Sifsei Chachamim and Torah Temimah, note 20.
Why does the Torah insert the (otherwise superfluous) words "be'Achad She'arecha"?
Rashi: To teach us that, in the realm of Tzedakah, the poor of one's own town take precedence over the poor of other towns 1 (and that one is not obligated to assist independently a poor man who goes collecting from door to door - Sifri)
What are the implications of the word "be'Artz'cha"?
Sifri: It teaches us that the poor of Eretz Yisrael take precedence over the poor Chutz la'Aretz 1
Oznayim la'Torah, (citing the Chasam Sofer): And the poor of Yerushalayim take precedence over the poor of other towns in Eretz Yisrael. See also Torah Temimah, note 22 DH 've'Da'.
Why does the Torah add the (otherwise superfluous) phrase "asher Hashem Elokecha Nosein lach"?
Sifri: To obligate giving Tzedakah to the poor of Chutz la'Aretz.
What is the difference between "Lo Se'ametz es Lavavcha" and "Lo Sikpotz es Yadcha"?
Rashi: "Lo Se'ametz... " comes to counter the person who is distressed when he has to give Tzedakah, 1 whereas "Lo Sikpotz ... " comes to counter the person who closes his hand and refuses to give at all. 2
Divrei Eliyahu: When one's hand is closed, all the fingers appear to be the same size, and it is only when one opens one's hand that one see that they are different. Therefore the Torah writes "Open your hand", see what each Ani needs - and give him accordingly.
Oznayim la'Torah: Giving Tzedakah requies a co-ordinated effort on the part of the heart - to acknowledge the Ani's situation nd and to sympathize with him, and to actually open one's hand and purse and give. Therefore the Torah warns against closing both one's heart and one's hand. 3
Rashi (in the original manuscript): 'Not to close one's heart from having compassion with the poor man. Ibn Ezra: To speak kind words that enter his heart..
And the Torah is instructing him to open his hand and give. Refer also to 15:10:0.1:1.
See Oznayim la'Torah.
Why does the Torah refer to the poor man as "Achicha"?
Rashi: If we decline to assist him when he comes to us for help, we will become his brother (in alms).
