Lo Ta’amod Al Dam Reyecha | Do Not Stand Idly By — Our Sacred Call To Feed The Hungry

Introduction: The Face of Hunger on Our Streets

The cold pavement seeps through the thin blanket. For David, that’s his bed, his chair, his world. The rumble in his stomach is a constant, dull companion, a clock counting down the hours until he might find a meal. He tries to be invisible, but the hunger is a visible weight on his slumped shoulders. He’s not a statistic; he is a soul, created in the image of the Holy One, a man who once had dreams, a job, a family. Just a few blocks away, Maria nervously counts the few dollars in her pocket. The rent is due, the baby needs medicine, and the groceries in the cart seem to shrink before her eyes. She will put back the fruit to afford the rice. She is not lazy; she is trapped in the relentless math of poverty.

These are not strangers. They are our neighbors. They are the ones Yeshua (Jesus) spoke of when he said, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40). In their hungry eyes, we are given a sacred opportunity to see the face of our Messiah and to answer a divine call: Lo ta’amod al dam reyecha — "Do not stand idly by while your neighbor's blood is shed" (Leviticus 19:16). While the "blood" may not be literal, the life is indeed draining from our neighbors through the silent crisis of hunger. This is our call to action.

1. The Heart of G-d for the Hungry and Oppressed

Our faith is not one of mere ritual and prayer; it is a faith of action, rooted in the very character of our G-d. From the Torah to the Gospels, the message is unrelenting: G-d cares profoundly for the poor, the hungry, and the marginalized.

· From the Old Testament: "Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?" (Isaiah 58:7).

This is not a gentle suggestion; it is a prophetic command that defines true worship. The prophet Isaiah makes it clear that our fasts and prayers are meaningless if they are disconnected from acts of compassion. G-d’s heart breaks for the hungry, and He calls us to be the hands that break the bread and offer it to them. This is a practical, everyday application: looking at our resources—our food, our homes, our time—and asking, "How can this be shared?"

· From the Psalms: "For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy." (Psalm 72:12-13).

We serve a G-d who is the ultimate helper of the helpless. This verse is both a comfort and a commission. It comforts us knowing that G-d sees and hears the cry of the hungry. It commissions us because we are often the means through which G-d delivers, pities, and saves. We are called to be "the helper," embodying G-d’s compassion in a hurting world.

2. The Example of Our Messiah: Yeshua’s Compassion in Action

Yeshua’s ministry was a living testament to the words of the prophets. He didn’t just preach about the Kingdom of G-d; he demonstrated it by feeding the hungry, healing the broken, and welcoming the outcast.

· From the Gospels: "Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied." (Matthew 14:19-20a).

The miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 is more than a display of power; it is a profound lesson in compassion. Yeshua saw a tired, hungry crowd—people who were like "sheep without a shepherd"—and his first response was to meet their physical need. He didn’t ask if they deserved it or if they had the right theology. He saw their hunger and acted. In our everyday lives, this teaches us to see the immediate needs before us and to trust that G-d can multiply our small offerings—a can of food, a few dollars, an hour of our time—to bring satisfaction and hope to many.

3. Our Shared Mission: Becoming a Community of Compassion

We are not meant to do this work alone. As a Messianic community, we are the body of Messiah, called to function together in love and service. We are a family, and when one part of the body suffers, we all suffer with it (1 Corinthians 12:26). The hunger in our cities is a suffering we are called to bear together.

This looks like:

· Supporting Faithful Partners: Giving to and volunteering with Messianic and Christian ministries that are on the front lines, serving meals, providing groceries, and offering shelter with the love of Yeshua.

· Extending Personal Kindness: Keeping granola bars or gift cards to local eateries in our cars to offer someone in need. Looking them in the eye, learning their name, and affirming their dignity.

· Praying Without Ceasing: Lifting up our struggling neighbors by name before the Father, asking for His provision, protection, and peace to surround them.

A Gentle Invitation: Join Us in This Holy Work

Dear Chevra (community),

The need is great, but our G-d is greater. And He has chosen to work through us—His people. This is not a burden, but a privilege. It is a way to tangibly express the love of Adonai and the compassion of our Messiah to a world that is starving for more than just bread.

We invite you, in the spirit of shared mission, to prayerfully consider how you might help.

· Would you pray? Pray for organizations like [Your Ministry Name or a Local Partner] as they serve daily. Pray for wisdom, for resources, and for the hearts of those they serve to be open to the love of G-d.

· Would you share? Share this article. Share the need. Help break the stigma of poverty and hunger by talking about it with love and compassion.

· Would you encourage? Send a note of thanks to those who serve in soup kitchens or food pantries. Your words can be fuel for their weary souls.

· Would you give? If you are able, your financial gift can literally become bread on a plate, milk for a child, and a message of hope that says, "You are not forgotten. G-d sees you, and so do we."

This is not our work; it is His. And we get to be a part of it. Together, we can ensure that no one in our community has to stand alone against the pangs of hunger. Together, we can be the answer to the prayer, "Give us this day our daily bread."

Thank you for your compassionate heart and for being a vital part of this community of faith and action.

In the service of our King,

[Kohathite.com]