Greatest is charity, in that it advances the redemption". The explanation is that the charity done by the People of Israel among themselves indicates their unity, otherwise why would a person give their portion to someone who has not worked for it? Because they is part of their fellow people and shares in their substance, they being one in spirit. As our Sages, of blessed memory, said in Tractate Pesachim, page 118, "The Holy One, blessed be He, said…'It is fitting for the unique (individual) to save the unique'. If so, when the People of Israel are united they have unique value, so it is fitting that the individual be quick to their rescue; within this lies the reason for the hastening of the Redemption of Israel.