12 Questions
What does the Hebrew word 'tzedakah' mean?
The Hebrew word 'tzedakah' actually means 'justice' or 'righteousness'.
What is the significance of the pushke (charity box) in Jewish tradition?
The pushke, or charity box, is a hallmark of the Jewish home and continues the tradition of depositing money for the poor, allowing those in need to receive sustenance in a respectable manner.
According to Jewish thought, why is giving to people in need considered the correct, honest thing to do?
In Jewish thought, giving to people in need is not considered something extra; it is viewed as the correct and honest thing to do because money is seen as belonging to G‑d, and it is right to distribute it as He wishes to His needy children.
How does the concept of tzedakah extend beyond monetary donations?
The concept of tzedakah extends beyond monetary donations as it can involve giving goods or services such as cooking a meal for an elderly neighbor, visiting someone who is ill, or volunteering at a school. Even a poor person who subsists on the charity of others is encouraged to perform acts of charity.
According to the Code of Jewish Law, what are the top priorities for giving tzedakah?
giving to family members in financial need, local charities, and causes in Israel over non-family members and distant charities
What power is believed to be associated with tzedakah according to a story in the Talmud?
the power to save a person from death
When is it customary to give charity in Jewish tradition?
before praying and lighting candles on Friday afternoon to usher in the Shabbat
Why do Jews often choose to give charity in multiples of 18?
due to the significance of the Hebrew word for life having a numerical value of 18
How many levels of giving charity did Maimonides identify?
eight levels
What percentage of their produce did Jewish farmers give to the Levite in Temple Times?
10%
What is tzedakah believed to bring according to the prophet Isaiah?
the redemption
What is tzedakah considered in terms of fulfilling a mitzvah (commandment)?
an easy mitzvah that requires no prior experience
Study Notes
The Importance of Tzedakah in Jewish Tradition
- The Code of Jewish Law prioritizes giving to family members in financial need, local charities, and causes in Israel over non-family members and distant charities.
- Supporting the poor in the Holy Land has been a tradition since the 16th century, with messengers collecting funds from the Diaspora for this purpose.
- Tzedakah (charity) is believed to have the power to save a person from death, as illustrated by a story in the Talmud.
- It is customary to give charity before praying and lighting candles on Friday afternoon to usher in the Shabbat.
- When donating charity, Jews often choose to give in multiples of 18 due to the significance of the Hebrew word for life having a numerical value of 18.
- Donating to charity with specific intentions, such as for the well-being of one's child, is considered righteous in Jewish tradition.
- Maimonides identified eight levels of giving charity, with the highest being to provide a loan and the lowest being to give unwillingly.
- In Temple Times, Jewish farmers gave 10% of their produce to the Levite, and the sages determined that it is proper to give 10% of earnings to charity, with those able encouraged to strive for 20%.
- The Talmud asserts that a woman's charity, particularly in the form of providing a ready-to-eat meal, is greater than that of her husband.
- Tzedakah is believed to bring the redemption, as indicated by the words of the prophet Isaiah.
- Tzedakah is considered an easy mitzvah (commandment) that requires no prior experience and can be fulfilled by directing funds to a charitable cause.
- Chabad.org, providing authentic Jewish teachings, inspiration, and information, encourages individuals to consider it as one of their tzedakah destinations.
Explore the significance and customs surrounding Tzedakah (charity) in Jewish tradition with this quiz. Test your knowledge on the importance of giving, the customs associated with charity, and the impact of Tzedakah on Jewish life and belief.
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