Once upon a time there was a man named Benjamin the Pious, who was in charge of the distribution of the communal charity.

One day in a year of famine a poor woman came to him, and said: "Dear Rabbi, give me some food."

Then he swore by God that there was no money in the charity box.

The woman replied: "Dear Rabbi, if you refuse me food, then know by God that a poor woman and her seven children are sure to die of hunger."

When Benjamin the Pious heard this, he gave her of his own.

Soon afterwards Benjamin the Pious fell very ill, and everyone believed he would die of his illness.

Then the angels said to God: "Lord of the universe, You have said that he who feeds one Israelite is likened unto him who feeds the whole world, and this Benjamin the Pious fed a woman and her seven children, and kept them alive during the year of famine. Is it right that he should die so young?"

When the Lord, blessed be He, heard the angels speak thus, He ordered the decree of death which had been pronounced against him to be torn up, and we are told that his life was prolonged twenty-two years. Therefore every man should dispense charity, as the verse has it, "Charity saveth from death" (Prov. 10.2).