Once upon a time when my office was in the Union Carbide building in NYC there was a large rectangular shallow pool that people threw coins into. For whatever reason, and it would be nice if the reason was respect for the scriptures, but respect for simple decency would be enough, the Company left money in the pool overnight.
I often worked so late in the evening that there could be no doubt that Union Carbide intentionally left some coins for whoever might need them. This was the way it was for years. Since the fountain was never empty, I knew that no one was cleaning it out just for themselves. Actually, I never saw anyone take from the pool.
I said to myself, this was done for anyone who might have need for a few coins. Perhaps for me if, long before Metrocard, I needed subway fare, or for the Chairman, finding himself short of funds, needed some coins for a cup of coffee or early edition paper while waiting for his limo.
Torah: Leviticus 19:9-10
And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather every grape of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and stranger; I am the Lord your God.
Torah: Deuteronomy 4:19-22
When you cut down your harvest in your field, and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you shall not go again to fetch it; it shall be for the stranger, for the orphan, and for the widow; that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands…
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