A Penny at a Time
“Nason Titein — You shall surely give to him … and Hashem will bless you because of this.”
(Devarim 15:10)
Rashi comments on this double wording (nason titein) of giving: “Even a hundred times.”
The Rambam discusses this concept in his peirush on Avos Ch. 3: “Everything goes according to the majority of actions.” Man doesn’t acquire spiritual attributes through one major action but rather through a buildup of many small actions.
Therefore it’s preferable for a rich man to distribute a hundred dinars to a hundred paupers than to give them all to one pauper. This way he accustoms himself to battle his evil inclination a hundred times and it will be easier for him forever. (Chofetz Chaim al HaTorah)
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