How Hashem Gives Tzedakah
Tzedakah & chesed
The Apta Rav once told how Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk was his guest and stayed the night. "I gave him a room of his own," he said. "Once I entered his room and saw and heard him reviewing his deeds. He was tallying his good deeds and misdeeds, trying to work out whether he deserved a portion in Olam Haba.
"He said to himself, 'Nafshi, nafshi. Woe is me, my soul, my soul. You are unworthy of Olam Haba.' He listed all his shortcomings, and then he tried to comfort himself.
"'Even if you are truly unworthy, do not fear. Hashem in His endless mercy will still give you a portion in Olam Haba. Our Sages taught (Sotah 14a) that Hashem Himself fulfills the whole Torah: He comforts mourners, marries off brides and grooms, and does acts of kindness and charity. But Olam Haba is not physical, and there is no food or drink there. How can Hashem give charity in such a place? He does so by giving even unworthy people like us a portion in Olam Haba. He gives it to us as a gift, as an act of tzedakah.'"