Tzedakah Essay

Charity vs. Tzedakah

Before Mondays lesson I thought Tzedakah was the same as giving charity. I now realize that was incorrect. Charity comes from the Latin word “caritas” which means “from the heart”. This word describes charity perfectly. Charity is given from the heart whenever you want to give. This all depends on how you are feeling. Some days you will feel charitable and some you won’t; what will the poor do on those days? This is where Tzedakah works its magic. Tzedakah comes form the Hebrew word “justice”. According to Jewish tradition Tzedakah does not rely on your impulses. Tzedakah can be performed whether you are feeling right or not. Doing Tzedakah can include giving our time, our talent and our money. Giving your time could be volunteering at a soup kitchen to help feed the hungry. Giving your talent can include bikathons, phonathons, walkathons, telethons, phonathons, and raffles to raise money for the poor. All these examples show that Tzedakah is not only donating money but it be something that you can enjoy and still help the needy.

Levels of Tzedakah

The Rambam defined eight different levels of giving Tzedakah starting from least and moving towards most praiseworthy. Below is Rambam’s list beginning with the least praiseworthy form.

1) Give not wanting to and with regret.

2) Giving nicely but not as much as one should

3) Giving what one should but only does it after being asked

4) Giving before being asked

5) Giving without knowing the identity of the recipient, although the recipient knows the identity of the donor

6) Giving anonymously and knowing the identity of the recipient.

7) Giving without knowing the identity of the recipient, and the recipient not knowing the identity of the donor.

8) Helping the recipient get a job so he/she no longer rely on someone else for money.

Can Kids perform Tzedakah? Why or why not?

Tzedakah does not only have to do with the amount of money you give. To me this means that kids can make an equal gift to the world as adults. It all depends on the level of understanding the child has. One child could decide to perform a small Tzedakah act and another might decide to do something that could influence many people. Therefore kids can make an equal impact in the world of Tzedakah as adults. Kids are also able to do many things in the fulfillment of Tzedakah because they have more free time available to them then adults.

How should Tzedakah be given?

Tzedakah should be given with a full heart every day. Tzedakah should be given with a positive attitude. We give Tzedakah to realize how lucky we really are and that we need to give to others that are not as lucky. I believe that by giving Tzedakah with a full heart on a daily basis it will help improve the lives of people in need.

Does Tzedakah have anything to do with Judaism?

Tzedakah comes form the Hebrew word justice. The Talmud introduces us to Tzedakah and teaches us about it. Giving Tzedakah is a wonderful deed and does not only make you feel good about your self, but it also gives the recipients joy and happiness in their lives. On many Jewish holidays it is a mitzvah to give Tzedakah. This shows that as well as praying and thanking Hashem for the meal/occasion we give Tzedakah. I believe that that the gift of Tzedakah is a big part of Judaism, but helping others plays a role in other religions as well as in making all of us righteous members of humanity.