Reply To: Some notes about what it means to be truly poor…

Wow, there have sure been more replies than I expected. OK, to address some of you.

To many of you who rightly criticized my anger towards those who berate me publicly: you are correct that my “cursing” them is overboard, and I hope you understand that my words were carried on a tide of anger and despair and I agree that I should not harbor such sentiments.

Now, for some specifics:

ZehavasDad writes:

“OP said when he schnoors he is upset when people only give him $1 instead of $20 . He calls the giver CHEAP for not given the $20. He should be happy the giver gives whatever they give even if its a Penny.”

Firstly, I’d like you to copy-paste the part of my OP where I called those who give dollars “cheap.” Considering how you used big, scary capital letters to call people’s attention to it, I’m sure it shouldn’t be too hard to find.

I certainly did express the frustration that one in my circumstances feels when he needs, say, twenty dollars just to make it through the day and someone throws a crumpled dollar at him. The dollar is frustrating in that it is a drop in the bucket vis-a-vis my most basic needs, but I do not question the very character of those who give it. I’m frustrated, not judgmental.

Shmendrick: Consider this your one and only response from me.

For a self-proclaimed talmid chochom, you seem woefully unaware of the concept of “noseia b’ol chaveiro.” Anyone who refers to the “oy veys” and “sighs” of a fellow Jew as “meaningless” has amounted to exactly nothing in limud Torah, regardless of how often he checks his calendar to see how long he’s been a lamdan. Others have already called you to task for your cruelty, so I’ll not address you any further on this forum, as I’ve been on the internet long enough to know the golden rule: don’t feed the trolls.

A few clarifications, as I may have not been clear enough in my OP.

1. I DO have a job AND benefits, but they are not allowing me to meet my needs. My job is, as some surmised, about 25K per annum in salary.

2. I am active in my community, and my rav is, indeed, trying to help me. Unfortunately, many people still haven’t updated their local news since 2007, and refuse to believe that “young people” of my ilk can possibly be so down on their luck.

3. Additionally, I just want to reiterate that I am NOT, ch”v, ANGRY at people for giving me a dollar. I am frustrated by it sometimes, but it is never a personal frustration; no-one who gives me anything at all gets anything other than a sincere smile and a “tizku l’mitzvos.” Just as I expect to be given tzedaka with kindness, I am careful to receive it with kindness as well. As someone pointed out here, I have no way of knowing whether or not they can even afford the dollar they hand me.