Humanities Homework

1. Spelling charts (five new words) due Tuesday
2. Tikkun Olam: List of 5-10 organizations or causes that people in our class may want to get involved with (with a short description of what the organization does). (Monday)


Have a great weekend!

Book Talk: Fanny

Book Talk: Aviva

Book Talk: Aleesha

Tzedakah by Galia

Tzedakah
Tzedakah Versus Charity
Before we had our first lesson on Tzedakah, I thought Tzedakah and charity meant the same thing. I thought they both meant giving to people who weren’t as fortunate as someone else. But then I found out more about these two words and realized that in Jewish terms there is a greater definition to each action. Tzedakah means giving from your heart. When someone is giving Tzedakah, they are giving it not because they are asked to, but because they want to. Charity, on the other hand, is giving but not always from the heart.

Levels Of Tzedakah
There are many levels of Tzedakah. These levels were described by Maimonides (Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon) who was born in the12th century. He was a Jewish scholar and physician. Maimonides wrote that there are eight different levels of tzedakah. The list below, describes them from the least to the most holy.
8. When someone donates unwillingly.
7. When someone is happy to give less than he should.
6. When someone gives directly to the poor only because they were asked.
5. When someone gives directly to the poor without being asked.
4. When the person receiving knows who the donor is, but the donor does not know who the receiver is.
3. When the donor knows who the receiver is, but the receiver does not know who the donor is.
2. When the donor doesn’t know who the receiver is and the receiver doesn’t know who the donor is.
1. The highest form of tzedakah is to help someone get a job so they don’t have to depend on others for money.

Can Kids Perform Tzedakah?
In my opinion, a child can perform tzedakah in many ways. On one hand a child can perform tzedakah just like an adult. If a child has been taught the meaning and the reason for tzedakah, then their tzedakah is appreciated in the same way as an adult. On the other hand if a child does not know the meaning of tzedakah then the child’s actions would be considered charity. For example, if a four year old finds a quarter on the floor in a grocery store, picks it up and puts it into the Research for Juvenile Diabetes container at the checkout counter, would that be considered Tzedakah? The answer is no. This would be considered charity as it is a learned behaviour not an act from the heart. If this same four year old is taught about the meaning of tzedakah, even in simple terms that she could understand, and then acts on this knowledge that would be tzedakah. For example, with the knowledge she has been given, she then decides to sort through a box of her old toys, pick out her favourite ones and ask her Mom to take her to the JFSA to give to other children who don’t have any toys, this would be tzedakah.

What Does Tzedakah Have To Do With Judiasm?
I think Tzedakah has a lot to do with Judiasm. For example, in Judiasm we get taught to live each and every day for the good in our lives not for the bad. So we also get taught to put good into other peoples’ lives. In some of the Jewish holidays we have special foods that we eat but a lot of those foods that we eat on those holidays we also donate to the poor. In Judiasm when we give tzedakah we remind ourselves that we have been given a lot but we still have much more to give.

How Should Tzedakah Be Given?
When this question was presented in our classroom, my first reaction was blank. But then when we started learning about these concepts, I realized there are many ways that Tzedakah should be given. One of the concepts was Tzedakah should be given without being asked. When you are asked, it is not you who thought about it in the first place. Something else that I learnt is that in Judiasm you are supposed to give at least 10% of your profits. The reason is if you give less you are not as generous as you can afford to be, but if you give too much you may not have enough for yourself. A third concept that I learnt is giving of your time not just money. For example, if you went to help out at the Louis Brier, that would be giving of your time. There are many other ways we can do Tzedakah and fill other peoples’ lives with goodness. It’s taking the moment to think about it and then just doing it.


Galia Horwitz 6B

Book Talk: Abee

Tzedakah

1. Levels of Tzedakah

Here are the eight levels of Tzedakah. The best way is the last one.

1) Giving but regretting it
2) Giving, but less than someone should
3) Giving, but only because you are being asked to
4) Giving before being asked to
5) Giving without knowing who you’re giving to,
although the person who you’re giving to knows
who’s giving
6) Giving anonymously
7) Giving but not to receive
8) Giving someone something that will help them
become independent, like a job or a loan



2. Can kids perform Tzedakah?

Yes kids can perform Tzedakah, actually anyone can perform Tzedakah even non Jewish people can. You can pay one cent and it would be Tzedakah you can pay ten million dollars and obviously it would be Tzedakah.


3. Ways to give Tzedakah

There are many, many ways to give Tzedakah. That is because Tzedakah doesn’t always have to be money. You can give everything from a gift to volunteering for a local cause, for example the SPCA or Canuck place.




4. Charity vs. Tzedakah

A lot of people would say that charity and Tzedakah are the same thing, but to me and probably many other people they are not even close. Charity is only given when the person feels like it, but Tzedakah is given anytime, anyplace, any mood. No matter what you give, if you give from the heart it will always count.

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.

Sick

Hey Guys I Was Sick Today And It Would Be Very Helpful If One Of You Could Post The 6A Homework From All Of The Classes Today
Thanks :)

-Arieh Leon Dales 6A

Homework?

Do we start step 1 of tikkun olam project now????

Homework?

Do we start step 1 of tikkun olam project now????

Could someone please post the homework?

TzDaKaH sUmMaRy

Charity VS. Tzedakah

The difference between Tzedakah and charity are that: you only give charity when you fell like it. But with Tzedakah you give whatever you feel no matter the feeling: sad, mad, happy, jealous, worried, or scared you give Tzedakah wherever whenever.


The 8 levels of Tzedakah

There are eight different levels of Tzedakah I'm going from least to greatest in righteousness:

1. Giving Tzedakah but not wanting to.
2. giving but only a little amount.
3. giving because someone asked you.
4. giving without being asked.
5. giving but not knowing who you are giving to.
6. giving anonymously.
7. giving but you do not know who you are giving to.
8. giving but not with money but something that will help them to be self sustaining.

How do you give Tzedakah???

When you give you give from the heart. think empathy and donate 10% of your income to Tzedakah. Everybody has many unique and amazing talents; you should use then to preform the act of Tzedakah.

Does Judaism have anything to do with Tzedakah???

Yes & no: Yes because it comes from the Hebrew word justice and it is mentioned in the Bible that it is a Mitzvah to do. No because Jews have a different word for things like Tzedakah other cultures & languages have different examples for the word too.

Missed Homework

Hey All,

It would be great if somebody could tell me the homework I missed today! :)


Thanks,
Marc L.

Book Talk by Arieh: Awakening

Book Talk today by Arieh

Book: Awakening by Robin Wasserman

Arieh recommends this book to people in grade 6-7 who like mysteries. Also if you liked the Bourne movies, you'll love this one!

See Arieh if you'd like more information.

Tzedakah by Harry

Charity vs. Tzedakah:

Charity is given from the heart and willingly only when one feels generous and voluntarily. But what happens when you don’t feel like donating? What happens then? Do the hungry starve? Do the poor get clothed? Will the ill get sicker? What about those poor little babies who are left in garbage bins to feed off the trash or are left out in the rain because the baby’s parent(s) cannot afford or cannot take care of them? Huh? What happens then? When will they next get a donation? How are they going to take care of themselves until then?

How are they going to survive? On Tzedakah! Jewish religion says that Tzedakah has nothing to do with emotions or how you are feeling. Generous or not. All we know is that someone is getting that money and your help. So donate today!

No matter how old, young, or religion you (yes you) are, you can still donate to a Tzedakah or something like that to help those in need. Now that baby can grow up to be a successful adult, or that beggar on the street that you see daily, can stop begging for quite a while if you just donate.




Levels of Tzedakah:

Moses Maimonides was aka known as Rambam had broken down Tzedakah into 8 levels. Level 1 is giving, but not wanting to. For example taxes. That goes to support our community right? The 2nd level is giving a lot but less than you can afford to give. Say you win $1,000 in the lottery. You only give like maybe $70 or so. That would be considered to be the second level. Level #3 is giving what you can afford to give, but only after being asked to donate to that cause.

Level numero 4 is giving before being asked by someone to donate. Level cinq (5) is Giving without knowing the receiver of the money, but the receiver knows you. An example is Baron de Rothschild sending generous amounts of money to Israel in its time of need. Level 6 is giving without the receiver knowing who you are like a secret admirer gift. Level 7 is giving to an anonymous person and the person not knowing you. Like giving a poor person on the street some money. Level 8 is the biggest type of Tzedakah there is according to Moses. Level 8 is helping someone to support himself like getting him a job or teach him how to fish for example so he can feed and clothe himself or by giving him a gift or a loan to get back on track to his better life.


Can kids perform Tzedakah?

Yes everyone can perform Tzedakah, children especially. If taught at an early age, they will hopefully grow up being very kind and generous. One way is to have a Tzedakah box placed in a place where everyone can find it and donate to it. Another way is work for a public community centre and volunteer for many jobs to help our community.

My favorite way is to organize a fund raising event; such as getting together with some friends and search each house for items that nobody needs anymore and sell them at a garage sale. You can then either donate a certain percent (say 15% or more) to a Tzedakah fund or your local synagogue and you can also donate all your money to a hospital or a charity.

Another way is to have a raffle or a guess how many jellybeans (kosher of course!) or Hershey kisses or whatever is in the jar.

So yes, kids can perform Tzedakah in more ways than you think.



How should Tzedakah be given?

As I mentioned in Levels of Tzedakah, Tzedakah should be given by helping someone to find a job or teach him how to fish or by giving anonymously.

But another way to give is through the holidays! Yes you read correctly. And yes your eyes are not going fuzzy or need glasses, through the holidays. One of the most common ways that people give Tzedakah, is during the holidays. The most common is on Friday/ Shabbat. During Shabbat we celebrate the time of rest and for the food that we have. But we also love to share our wealth. So most empty out their pockets put the spare change in the Tzedakah box/ can/ jar.

Also during Purim, we collect food for the food bank or give Mischloach Manot to the poor/ with each other filled with yummy foods of many different sorts and gelt. Another holiday that we give (or perform) Tzedakah is Rosh Hashanah. During Rosh Hashanah, we help out in many things; like ride a bike in a bikeathon to raise money for cancer or flood shelters and even animal shelters.


You do the hokey-pokey and you turn yourself about, that is what Tzedakahs all about…. Hey!!!

Tzedakah by Vanessa

TZEDAKAH

Tzedakah consists of different elements. One is levels. There are eight levels of tzedakah. One being the lowest, and eight being the highest.
Levels
1) Not giving from the heart.
2) Not giving to full potential.
3) Giving appropriately, after being asked.
4) Thinking generously, by not waiting for someone to ask you to give tzedakah.
5) Giving for the sake of giving.
6) “You don’t give to receive”
7) The receiver does not feel obligated to give back to the donor
8) Gives them a head start and more self esteem.

Another element is, charity v.s. tzedakah
Charity comes from the Latin word caritas, which means “From the heart.” As that being said, charity is give voluntarily, while tzedakah must be given with an open hand.

Next is a common question, do you have to be Jewish to give tzedakah?
You do not have to be Jewish to give tzedakah. Think about it… So many non Jews have given Jewish people jobs and many sheltered Jews in World War 2.

Another one is, how should tzedakah be given? The Jewish tradition requires us to give to the poor. Today, we are supposed to set aside, a portion of our income to give to less fortunate people. Children may have limited money to donate. That is why some teachers put together fundraisers to give tzedakah. So children can share giving together instead of organizing it on their own. Adults should give regularly with an open hand.

The fifth element is, what I think about tzedakah? Treat everyone like you want to be treated. In that case I think it is extremely important to give tzedakah, so people can live their lives with less of a struggle, if you wouldn’t have donated. Just remember, every donation counts.

Tzedakah

Tzedakah

By Benny

 

 

There are five very important aspects of tzedakah that I’m going to talk about: charity isn’t always tzedakah; the levels of tzedakah; how kids can do acts of tzedakah; how Judaism is related to tzedakah; and how tzedakah should be given.

 

Charity isn’t always tzedakah.  Tzedakah is a Hebrew word for justice.  Charity’s literal meaning is giving help to someone in need. As you can see from the literal translations, tzedakah is justice, and charity is giving. This means that if you give money or food to someone in need it wouldn’t be tzedakah but it would be charity.  However, if you gave your time, effort, or care into your charity it would be tzedakah.

 

There are different levels of tzedakah.  Bad: giving because you are forced to, to get recognition or something in return, or taking away the recipient’s dignity by publicizing your act. Good: giving with care, respect, unconditionally, with good spirits, or giving with modesty and respect to the recipient not making him/her feel small. In my opinion, the highest level of tzedakah is as Maimonides said - “catch a man a fish he eats for one day, teach a man to fish he eats forever.”

 

Some people think that kids can’t do tzedakah, but the are wrong. Not only can kids give tzedakah, but sometimes kids do bigger acts of tzedakah than adults. For example, if an adult gives a yearly donation to a foundation, even if it’s a large amount of money, it still can be less tzedakah than kids who run a food drive for the homeless.  I think that money isn’t always the solution, and that even the littlest bit of effort can be worth as much. For that reason, I think that kids are just as capable as adults to give tzedakah and can’t always rely on money - so that steers them in the right direction for true tzedakah.

 

Not only has tzedakah been a Jewish tradition for thousands of years, but was actually a law written in the Torah. The law was that all the Jewish farmers had to leave the corners of their fields uncropped so that people in need of food could take food without having to beg and therefore could keep there dignity.  Nowadays, not only do Jews do tzedakah in their community, but do acts of tzedakah around the world. For example, the Tikkun Olam project we are doing to help foundations of our choice with our time, effort, and care, to help them achieve their goals.

 

In my opinion, tzedakah should be given respectfully, with modesty, and generously. For example: give anonymously, to show that you don’t expect something in return. Don’t make it public, so that you don’t affect the person’s dignity. And to do the highest act of tzedakah - teach the person something so that they can do it themselves and so that they don’t have to rely on other people.

-Benny

Paragraphs on Tzedakah by Shakaed

1. Levels of Tzedakah

There are eight levels of Tzedakah. This is the order of them, from the least way to the best one.

1) Giving but regretting it

2) Giving, but less than one should

3) Giving, but only because you are being asked

4) Giving before being asked

5) Giving without knowing who you’re giving to, although the person who you’re giving to knows who’s giving

6) Giving anonymously

7) Giving without knowing who you’re giving to, and the person who you give to doesn’t know who’s giving

8) Giving someone something that will help them become independent, for example a job or a loan

2. Can kids perform Tzedakah?

Yes, kids can perform Tzedakah. Even if you give 50 cents that still counts. There are many ways to perform Tzedakah, less extreme and more extreme. 50 cents is less extreme, and giving a million dollars is more extreme. The most important thing is not necessarily how much you give since kids don't always have a lot of money; what matters is that you give, and really mean it.

I think that it doesn’t matter what age you are; a 10 year old kid might know more about giving than a 35 year old person, but people think that kids are not responsible enough. Like at the SPCA, you can only volunteer if you are age 14 and up.

Giving Tzedakah is more than just giving money so we get a candy from our mom each time we put a dollar in the Tzedakah box. We must give Tzedakah meaningfully, and everyone can do it, including kids.

3. Ways to give Tzedakah

There are many ways to give Tzedakah. After all, Tzedakah does not necessarily have to be money. It can also be a gift or an employment to someone who needs a job. You can give money, you can help out in the children’s hospital, you can participate in a walkathon, bikathon or make a raffle to earn money to donate, Etc.

4. Charity vs. Tzedakah

Charity comes from the Latin word Caritas, meaning “From the heart”. It’s giving when we feel like giving. Charity is good on days we feel generous. But what if we don’t feel so generous that day? What happens to the people who need our support? The answer is Tzedakah. Tzedakah obligates us to give our time, talents, or money, on a regular basis, whether we feel generous or not. This way we make sure that whoever needs our help, will get it all the time no matter how we feel on a certain day.

Shakaed 6A