This moving story is found in the book Chicken Soup for the Soul.

Mark was walking home from school when he noticed that the boy ahead of him had tripped and dropped all the books and belongings that he was carrying. Mark knelt down and helped the boy, Bill, pick up the scattered items. As they spoke, Mark discovered that Bill was having trouble with many areas of his life.

They stayed in contact over the future years. Before graduation, Bill called over Mark and reminded him of the day that they met. “I was on the way to end my life,” he explained. “I was clearing out my locker, I didn’t want to leave a mess for anyone. After we had spent that time talking and laughing, I realized what I would be missing should I go. You didn’t just pick up my books…. You saved my life.”

In the verse quoted above, what does the phrase “and his hand falters” mean?

Before a person completely collapses, there is a period when they are in a very precarious state, but they are still standing. Before a complete financial failure, there is a time when things are bad but have not yet fallen apart.

This is what is called by the verse “faltering.” The Torah is telling us to not wait until the person is in full blown failure—support them when they are faltering, when they are teetering but still standing.

This does not just mean that we need to support people financially before they collapse. It also includes supporting others emotionally. We must notice the signs of sadness, mood changes, anxiety and depression in the people around us. We should send messages regularly to people to check up on how they are doing, or to call them.

Let’s not wait for a cry of help. Let’s help before the situation becomes desperate.