Hebrew Bible Study
Hebrew Bible Study

Commentary for Deuteronomy 15:8

כִּֽי־פָתֹ֧חַ תִּפְתַּ֛ח אֶת־יָדְךָ֖ ל֑וֹ וְהַעֲבֵט֙ תַּעֲבִיטֶ֔נּוּ דֵּ֚י מַחְסֹר֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֶחְסַ֖ר לֽוֹ׃

but thou shalt surely open thy hand unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need in that which he wanteth.

Rashi on Deuteronomy

פתח תפתח [BUT] THOU SHALT SURELY OPEN [THINE HAND] — even many times (Sifrei Devarim 116:13).
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy

Or HaChaim on Deuteronomy

כי פתח תפתח, "for you shall surely open, etc." What made Moses think that such a reason would open the hearts of insensitive people? Perhaps Moses referred to something we read in Proverbs 11,24 that "one man gives generously and winds up with more;" being charitable does not diminish one's wealth but increases it. When the Israelite "opens his hand," G'd "opens the gates of heavenly bounty for him." This is why Moses said כי פתח "in order that G'd will open His hidden treasures, etc." He continues with והעבט תעביטנו, "you shall lend him whatever he lacks, etc." The Torah means that when you open your hand for the poor all you are doing is giving him a loan seeing that G'd will repay you with interest. This is certainly sufficient reason for Moses telling you to open your hand again and again.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy

Rashbam on Deuteronomy

כי פתוח תפתח את ידך, but
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy

Rabbeinu Bahya

Available for Premium members only

Siftei Chakhamim

Available for Premium members only

Rav Hirsch on Torah

Available for Premium members only

Chizkuni

Available for Premium members only

Rashi on Deuteronomy

Available for Premium members only

Rav Hirsch on Torah

Available for Premium members only

Rashi on Deuteronomy

Available for Premium members only

Rav Hirsch on Torah

Available for Premium members only

Rashi on Deuteronomy

Available for Premium members only

Rav Hirsch on Torah

Available for Premium members only

Rashi on Deuteronomy

Available for Premium members only

Rav Hirsch on Torah

Available for Premium members only

Rashi on Deuteronomy

Available for Premium members only
Previous VerseFull ChapterNext Verse