“One does not achieve a spiritual experience through meditation and prayer. One achieves true spirituality by painstakingly attending to the needs of others. This is why we give some charity, perhaps even just a few pennies, prior to engaging in prayer. The Talmud suggests that in order to earn the right to address God in prayer, one must first demonstrate that he is not unaware of his obligations to his fellow. First alms, then prayer. First hospitality, and only then can one come into the Divine Presence. How important it is that we learn the lesson of religious priorities. Never can we place our spiritual longings above our obligations to our fellow human beings.”
— Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb











