“Who sees but is not seen, should render kindness to you.”
Today’s Daf Yomi considers the poor, and how to provide for their needs without embarrassing them. We are told that back when the second Temple stood there were
“special” chambers. People who had sins to atone for would contribute money to
“the chamber of secret gifts.” Those who had come down in the world from noble ancestry would support themselves from the gifts in this secret chamber without risking the embarrassment of openly disclosing their lessened circumstances.
The other secret place was the chamber of vessels, which served as a resource for Temple maintenance. Donors would contribute vessels to the chamber perhaps the equivalent of gadgets that we buy today and rarely use. The chamber doors would be opened every thirty days. If a vessel was useful for Temple upkeep, it would be kept. Alternatively, it would be sold, and the resulting cash would be used for Temple maintenance.