[Avodah] beautifying the mitzvas.....priorities in spending??

[Rich, Joel]

there is an inyan of "beautifying the mitzvas"and so in
order to fullfill this we get nice chanukias, and etrogim,
tefillin, etc., However, isn't v'ahavta l'reiacha kamocha
a mitzvah as well? Can we justify three or four hundred
dollar etrogim, etc,  if we know that our neighbor needs
medical attention and cannot afford it??
are we responsible (or even required menchlachkeitly)
to buy a less expensive etrog (or R. Tam Tfilling, etc)
for our son/s, if we know that our neighbors/fellow jews/
lack/s basic medical necessities, housing, food, etc...
?????
 ===================================
1. If one is giving the halachically required (or even more so the maximum) amount of tzedaka, no chiyuv to give more
2. by this definition one would be required to give up all discretionary spending as long as there was one individual in need.


All this being said, R' Schachter would agree with you - see http://torahmusings.com/2011/07/audio-roundup-cliv/

KT
Joel Rich
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