However, our Sages interpreted the expression "white toothed from milk" to signify that "It is greater to 'whiten one's teeth' to someone than to give him milk." This means it is a greater mitzvah to smile at someone and show him friendliness than to give him something to eat or drink.

The following story is a good illustration.

HaGaon HaRav Moshe Feinstein ztvk"l was supposed to attend his first meeting as chairman of the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah (the Presidium of Torah Giants), and the meeting was scheduled right after Minchah in his Yeshiva. A car was waiting for him outside the Yeshiva and as soon as Minchah ended, the students surrounded their beloved Rosh Yeshiva to escort him to the car without a second's delay; since many of the other members of the Moetzes would already be there waiting for him.

As he was about to get in to the car, a poor man asked him for charity. Reb Moshe reached in to his pocket and gave the man a few coins. But the beggar wasn't finished yet. He began a conversation with the Rabbi while the waiting driver and the students became more and more impatient. A few attempted to tell the poor man that Reb Moshe was in a great hurry, but the Rosh Yeshiva waved to them to go away. After ten long minutes, Reb Moshe excused himself, shook hands with the beggar, and finally got in to the car.

One of the students was brave enough to ask the Rabbi why he had not simply given the man the money and told him that he had no time to talk.

Reb Moshe replied, "You must understand, that to that man the conversation meant much more than the money. My mitzvah of tzedakah included showing him that I care about what he thinks and that I am not too busy to speak to him!"

Reb Moshe's older son, Reb Dovid, remarked about him, "My father never wasted a moment. But if a poor or troubled person needed an hour to pour out his heart, my father could spare an hour."

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