The Zohar on Tehillim 111, or When Tzedakah Appears on the Forehead

The Zohar on Tehillim 111, or When Tzedakah Appears on the Forehead

“Ve-tzidkato omedet la'ad” — (and his righteousness endures forever); Our teacher, the Arizal (may his merit protect us), taught that every mitzvah a person performs is represented by one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. That letter shines on the forehead of the person who performed the mitzvah for a certain period of time, and then disappears. But for one who gives tzedakah to the poor, the letter “tzadi” shines on his forehead throughout that entire week, as alluded to in the verse: “And his righteousness (tzidkato) endures forever.” In this case, the letter does not disappear immediately. Moreover, if the letters of the word “tzedakah” are replaced according to the Atbash system (in which the first letter of the alphabet is replaced by the last, the second by the second-to-last, and so on), the result is “akadts” — that is, also “tzedakah” when read in reverse. This alludes to the fact that the letter does not disappear, but remains throughout the entire week. (Nagid Mitzvah 11, p. 1) The holy book “Zohar” (Vayigash, folio 208, side 1) also contains an allusion to this: “Rabbi Chiya said: ‘He distributed generously to the poor; his righteousness endures forever, and his name is exalted with honor.’” By virtue of this, a person merits the World to Come, becomes connected with the Tree of Life, and the merit of his tzedakah endures forever, as it is written: “His righteousness endures forever.” See also the holy book “Zohar” (Beshalach, folio 59, side 1): a person sows tzedakah in this world, while he reaps its reward and fruits in the World to Come, as it is written: “Sow tzedakah for yourselves; reap in accordance with kindness.” Tzedakah guides his soul when it leaves the body and raises it to an honored place in Gan Eden. His soul will be bound to the Source of Life, as it is written: “Your righteousness (tzidkecha) will go before you, and the glory of the Almighty will receive you” — in place of honor and tranquility. It is also written: “For you who fear Me, the sun of tzedakah will rise, bringing healing.” (“Branch of the Fathers” — Rabbi Ovadia Yosef on Pirkei Avot)