The Evolution of Tzedakah
By Meg Chalmers
The Tzedakah Box: A religious obligation and tradition
By Sue Kelley
The Jewish tradition of Philanthropy
By Jack Papoff
Tzedakah
By Krishna Mistry
The Evolution of Tzedakah
By Meg Chalmers
“Tzedakah” is the Hebrew word meaning righteousness, justice or fairness. Tzedkah is often mistranslated to the English word “charity” , meaning giving without excepting any gratification and doing out of compassion. Tzedkah however , is an obligation and law found in the Torah to give : “ … set aside a tenth of all your produce..and give it to the alien, the fatherless and the widow..” (Deuteronomy 26:12).
Historically, Tzedakah was used intended primarily for agricultural giving. The ultimate act of giving was sharing land as it was the most valuable thing in society. In the Medieval Times, influential Jewish philosopher Rambam Maimonides created eight levels of giving found in the Misheneh Torah which he wrote. The Eight Levels of learning included “guidelines” on who acceptable candidates were to give money too. Later, the Jewish people in the society were no longer allowed to own land, and the main focus shifted to giving money for maintaining the temples and synagogues, building new hospitals and educating the children and youth of the community.
Many practicing Jews give their ten percent of net-income after taxes mainly to the poor, health care facilities, the elderly or educational institutions, or other non- Jewish charities. According to Jewish Tradition, family and close relatives, local Jewish community, Jewish Community in Israel, Jewish community worldwide, Local Community, and international assistance to people in need are the most prioritized people/institutions who are deserving of Tzedakah. However, an article found in the Jewish Journal, says only six percent of the money given , was specifically for Jewish organizations in order to help the society in which they were living in and not be explicit to Jewish Organizations.
There can also be special acts of Tzedakah found in the Jewish Culture. At weddings, the Jewish bride and groom may give to a charitable organization to symbolize the character of their commitment. During Passover, many give to local food banks as well as invite those less fortunate into their homes who do not have the privilege of buying or having food accessible. Furthermore , there are many ways by which Jews further show their commitment to fulfilling Tzedakah. Orthodox and more traditional Jews can be seen with a pushke , which is a box used for collecting coins to give to the poor.
Not only is Tzedakah seen as law in which every Jewish person should abide by , but there is also spiritual benefit to giving. It is believed that when a Jewish person provides for someone else, or something else, he or she can truly be able to identify how grateful they are. They see it as the person that they are giving to is doing them a favor.
Although many who are in need would be appreciative of someone assisting them , some people feel too embarrassed to take money from others. However, it is considered to be a contravention to refuse Tzedakah from someone.
Tzedakah plays an active role in the way Jewish people actively give in their communities as well as our society. Tzedkah is based on the foundations listed in the Torah and describes the fundamental importance of giving. It is an obligation in Jewish Culture to give.
“How wonderful is it that no one need wait a single moment to start to improve the world” - Anne Frank
Works Cited
1. Tracey, R. Rich (2007). Tzedakah: Charity. Retrieved from: http://www.jewfaq.org/tzedakah.htm
2. Tugend, Tom ( June 26 2003). Why Aren’t Jews Giving to Jews?. Retrieved from the Jewish Journal: http://jewishjournal.com/losangeles
The Tzedakah Box: A religious obligation and tradition
By Sue Kelley
Traditional Jewish homes commonly have a home charity box, a tzedakah, for collecting coins to give to the poor. Tzedakah is a Hebrew word commonly translated as charity - giving aid, assistance, and money to the poor and needy or to other worthy causes – but, the nature of tzedakah is simply an act of justice and righteousness, the performance of a duty, or giving the poor their due.
While Western style philanthropy is rooted in Christian traditions and is seen as an individual right, the tzedakah is a religious obligation of the Jewish faith and is to be performed regardless of financial standing.
“The giving of charity is and always has been an integral part of the religious life of Orthodox Jews. To give of one’s wealth to another Jew in need is an imperative, commanded both by the laws and by the traditions of Jewry, and no man may consider his religious obligations completely fulfilled without having engaged in charity-giving.” Samuel Heilman
Jewish tradition is to give at least ten percent of their income to charity. Giving to charity is a tradition so entrenched in Jewish life that is almost instinctive way to express thanks to God, to ask forgiveness from God, or to request favour from God. The Torah says, “By giving tzedakah, a person’s mind and hearts become refined one thousand times.”
The traditions of tzedakah are so long standing that lists were made to summarize the hierarchy of reasons to give. Ancient groups like the Talmud sorted these different levels into an organized list. Here is that list, sorted from the least noble to the most praiseworthy:
- Giving begrudgingly
- Giving less than you should, but giving it cheerfully.
- Giving after being asked
- Giving before being asked
- Giving when you do not know the recipient's identity, but the recipient knows your identity
- Giving when you know the recipient's identity, but the recipient does not know your identity
- Giving when neither party knows the other's identity
- Enabling the recipient to become self-reliant
Philanthropic behaviour is learned by doing and understanding family life traditions and customs.4 Train a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22.6). By using the tzedakah in the Jewish home it gives parents the opportunity to teach children lifelong philanthropy from an early age. With care and guidance, the benefits of these small acts of kindness, by giving through the tzedakah, will manifest themselves into positive traits as children grow into adulthood. 3 In fact, there are many tzedakah boxes that are created with fun, childlike designs to help children display their own personality, and indeed help them build ownership and responsibility in their giving.
Says a Jewish friend of ours, “Our family uses this as a way to support local schools, synagogues, and organizations that are important to us and to give to the poor, especially if they are family. Using a tzedakah is a way to engage in a “mitzvah” – a Jewish tradition which translates into performing a good deed that is good for your soul and well-being.”
This Jewish tradition has been around for thousands of years and is still a strong tradition within Jewish families today living in the Western world. A philanthropic program being used successfully in the U.K. and recently adopted in Canada by many fundraisers is the Home Charity Box, where a branded donation box is placed in the donors/prospects home to collect loose change. The money collected is sent in to the charity on a frequent basis. This is a great example of an ancient giving tradition being carried over into the Western world.
Works Cited
1. http://www.mechon-mamre.org/jewfaq/tzedakah.htm
2. Samuel Heilman, The Gift of Alms, 1975, p371
3. Kids 4 Tzedakah, Australia, online at http://www.kidz4tzedakah.org/about.htm
4. From Generation to Generation: Transmitting the Jewish philanthropic tradition. Anita H. Plotinsky
5. www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3056/jewish/Charity-an-
The Jewish tradition of Philanthropy.
By Jack Papoff
The Hebrew word for charity is “Tzedakah”. This is for giving aid, assistance and money to the poor or worthwhile causes. Tzedakah is the responsibility to give a portion of ones earnings for the common good. However, charity suggests benevolence and generosity which is an act of the powerful and wealthy to benefit the poor and needy, while Tzedakah means righteousness, fairness or justice.
Historical Roots – At the end of the Jewish worship services the Aleinu prayer states a goal of the Jewish people to “perfect the world under the sovereignty of god”. The term “perfect the world” in Hebrew is “tikkum olam”, which means to fix or repair the world. In ancient times the torah instructs believers to leave crops standing, so that will allow the poor to get needed food for survival. However, as the economy grew and diversified the rabbis addressed tzedakah in financial terms. Both Public and Private funds were created to help support needy people. Food banks and soup kitchens were developed at a time of no governmental assistance. The root work of tzedakah means “justice” and implies the Rabbis viewed social welfare as an economic and social justice manner. Later the rabbis of medieval times clarified the disparate law of tzedakah.
Rabbi Moses Meimonides developed an eight stage approach, which asked some of the following questions: How much should one give. Should giving be done anonymously. What is the ideal form. For what amount. These obligations and questions involved in giving tzedakah are relevant today, and offer a variety of ways to make contributions.
The Catholic history in the United States shows the tradition of the churches charitable activities and the increasing tension between centralized control of giving and democratic participation. Also in the earliest days Catholics organized to initiate and support charitable activities. It also developed a growing church community with widening church and ethnic differences, developing networks of orphanages, hospitals, schools and social changes that came to represent the Catholic way of giving.
In going back to the Jewish tradition “Tzedakah” is more than giving money to the poor. It requires the donor to share his or her compassion and empathy along with the money. If a person gives tzedakah it should be given cheerfully and joyfully. There are also two aspects one with the hand, and the other with the heart.
The Jewish Federation was started in the beginning of the twentieth century. Individual support of synagogues and welfare agencies grew into a Jewish federated philanthropy of pooled individual contributions, that supported a defined infrastructure. Many synagogues (including the one I belong to) raise funds through donations made by members annual dues plus applicable building fund dues which are tax deductible, plus any other activities the synagogues may have. There is also a tradition in Jewish homes, businesses, etc., where they have a blue and white box called a PUSHKA. This is for depositing small coins for other Jewish people in need. The Pushka box also is used during daily services, so participants can also give small change. The Orthodox Jews believe in giving some Tzedakah on a daily basis.
Works Cited
Jewish Philanthropy The Concept of Tzedakah a paper written by Jacqueline DeGroot in 1998.
The Catholic Tradition in America a paper written by Mary J. Oates 1995
Tzedakah, a Hebrew term, translates to the English word charity. However, while charity can be defined as, “generosity and helpfulness especially toward the needy or suffering” or, “aid given to those in need” many people have argued that there is a large difference between tzedakah and charity. Tzedakah is a fundamental value of the Jewish culture and is a way of life followed by many Jewish people. This paper will explore the roots and history of the term tzedakah and how it plays a role in North American giving.
“The word "tzedakah" is derived from the Hebrew root Tzadei-Dalet-Qof, meaning righteousness, justice or fairness.” Simply from looking at the meanings of the two terms, charity and tzedakah, we can see that there are differences. As previously mentioned the word charity describes generosity for the needy, while Judaism sees generosity for the poor as a duty or an act of justice.
Tzedakah is so ingrained in Jewish tradition, that there are specific guidelines which when applied to one’s life help align oneself with these values. First it is encouraged that one gives ten percent, at least, of their income on an annual basis. In addition, the suggestion is made that ten percent of the value of all assets is given as a one-time donation. Although several resources make special note that Judaism does not ask people to give only to Jewish charities , some suggest that priority should be given to Jewish people in your area and torah scholars and institutions . Additional guidelines are quite specific and include setting a fiscal year for your tzedakah to ensure complete accuracy, and establishing a separate fund for your tzedakah to avoid any confusion with your personal finances. A final guideline suggests you give tzedakah cheerfully. Judaism supports that one should view, “tzedakah as an opportunity, not a burden,” and should attempt to, “sympathize with recipients and try to lift their spirits.”
It is both fascinating and important to note that this tradition of tzedakah has followed Jewish immigrants to the western world and is still a very important part of many of their lives. Organizations such as tzedakah, Inc., an American organization with the primary focus to advise Jewish people on tzedakah and how to effectively incorporate it into their lives in America, are a great resource for people who follow Judaism in America and would like to ensure that these values continue to resonate in their lives. These resources can also provide important information for those hoping to understand the philanthropic culture of those who follow Judaism. As development professionals in North America we must acknowledge the religious beliefs and traditions of the people we come across. By understanding our constituents’ culture and values, we will be better able to fulfill our roles.
Works Cited
Tzedakah: Charity. (2007). In Judaism 101. Retrieved January 27, 2019, from http://www.jewfaq.org/tzedakah.htm
Charity. (2010). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved January 29, 2010, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/charity
Tzedakah in Jewish Tradition. (2009). In Tzedakah.Info: Information for Effective Tzedakah. Retrieved January 27, 2010, from http://www.just-tzedakah.org/guidelinesIntroduction.asp