One of the hardest things in life to do is to break habits. When the Jews left Egypt, they weren't accustomed to giving. What do poor slaves have to give?? So when they left and gave so generously to the mishkan it was a tremendous break of habit. THAT is what brought the shechina to dwell in their midst. Not just the act of giving but giving against one's habits. [Rebbe Shlita]
That might be why we start the seder with הא לחמא עניא and invite the poor to join us. After being slaves and not being able to be generous and to have an open house, we celebrate our newfound freedom by inviting the poor to join us - against our ingrained habit.
I have noticed something interesting in people. It doesn't matter how much they have or don't have - if they are not giving people you can't get a penny out of them. It is a strongly ingrained habit which is almost impossible to break. I know multi-multi millionaires who are less likely to give 50 dollars to a cause than an avreich in Yerushalayim who gets 500 dollars a month from his kollel to support his wife and five children. It is quite pathetic.
[A well known philanthropist lost ALL OF HIS MONEY just a few weeks ago. Can you imagine? MILLIONS down the drain for him in ONE SECOND! How did it happen? He died.... I ty'neh, give while you are alive and it counts. And give bi-simcha.].
One famous philanthropist once asked a Chasidic Rebbe how much he should donate to a certain cause. The Rebbe said "Until it hurts". The famous philanthropist, a man who has his name on many buildings, replied "Even ten dollars hurts".
Nu, sweet friends! You want to transform your soul? Start by breaking bad habits.
A good place to start is to see how much you are accustomed to giving of your time and resources and give a bit more....
