Leviticus Rabbah on Care for the Soul and the Poor

A merciful person does good for his soul [ . . . ] (Proverbs 11:17). This refers to Hillel the Elder. When he would take leave of his disciples, he would go out walking. His disciples asked him, “Master, where are you going?” He [Hillel] said to them, “To perform a commandment [mitzvah].” They [the disciples] asked him, “And what commandment is that?” He answered them, “To bathe at the bathhouse.” They said to him, “Is that a commandment?” He answered, “Yes. If the images of kings are set up in their theaters and circuses, where someone is specifically tasked with shining and washing them—thereby earning their living and rising in status alongside the great men of the kingdom—we, who are created in the image and likeness [of God], as is written: For in the image of God He created man (Genesis 9:6), how much more so should [we keep our bodies clean]?

Another interpretation: A merciful person does good for his soul [ . . . ] (Proverbs 11:17). This [refers to] Hillel the Elder. When he would take leave of his disciples, he would go out walking. His disciples asked him, “Master, where are you going?” He [Hillel] said to them, “To offer a kindness for a guest staying at my home.” They said to him, “Do you have a guest every day?” He said to them, “And is not my lowly soul staying in my body also a guest? Today, it is here, but tomorrow it is gone.”

Another interpretation: A merciful person does good for his soul, while a cruel person troubles his own flesh (Proverbs 11:17). R. Alexandri said: This [refers to] the person who arrives at a celebration but does not associate with his relatives [i.e., his “flesh” who are there] with him on account of their poverty. R. Aibu said: It is written: You shall surely give to him [financial help] (Deuteronomy 15:10). R. Naḥman said: For on account of this [giving of charity, the Lord your God will bless all your activity, everything at which you try your hand] (ibid.). It [poverty] is a wheel that rolls [around] to everyone. Moses, therefore, cautions Israel: When your fellow is reduced to straits [. . . you shall uphold him . . .] (Leviticus 25:35).

Translated byAaron Samuels.