וכי ימוך אחיך…ומטה ידו עמך והחזקת בו (בהר כה:לה)

The tzaddik Reb Pinya’la of Ostilla zt״l (son-in-law of Maran Reb Yissachar Dov of Belz zt״l) excelled in the middah of גמילות חסדים, keeping an open home for every Yid in need. He would give away all his money for tzedakah—never allowing even a penny to remain in his home overnight. His Rebbetzin was equally devoted to this middah, and there was hardly a poor person in Belz who did not receive tzedakah from her.

Their home was constantly open to anyone in need of food or a place to sleep. Those close to him were uncomfortable with the constant flow of people, and some even told people experiencing poverty not to come at any hour. When Reb Pinya’la heard of this, he strongly reproved them: how could one shame a fellow Yid?

When they suggested at least establishing set times for visitors, he responded simply: “What can I do—I cannot close my door to a poor person.”