To what extent does the modern welfare state obviate the necessity for individual initiative in tzedakah? What balance should be struck by contemporary Jews who want to partake fully in the life of the wider community, between assisting needy Jews and addressing Jewish needs, and providing for all those in need? To what extent must Jews today return to the biblical origins of tzedakah in a wider concern for fairness and justice, shaping a Jewish imperative to address the root causes of poverty and social injustice?
We use cookies to improve your experience on our site and bring you ads that might interest you. History and Development of Tzedakah Although the term tzedakah is applied to giving to individuals in need only in post-biblical Judaism, the Bible is replete with admonitions to show concern for the poor. Tzedakah Requirements Traditional Jewish law regulates the collection and disbursement of tzedakah in an attempt to assure fairness in both functions.
Join Our Newsletter Empower your Jewish discovery, daily. A standard mourner's prayer includes a statement that the mourner will make a donation to charity in memory of the deceased. In many ways, charitable donation has taken the place of animal sacrifice in Jewish life: giving to charity is an almost instinctive Jewish response to express thanks to G-d , to ask forgiveness from G-d, or to request a favor from G-d. According to Jewish tradition, the spiritual benefit of giving to the poor is so great that a beggar actually does the giver a favor by giving a person the opportunity to perform tzedakah.
The Chronicle of Philanthropy's list of the top 50 charitable donors in included sixteen Jews, according to a JTA article. Similarly, a study reported in the Jewish Journal found that Nor is Jewish generosity limited to Jewish causes: while a few of the Jews in BW's "Top 50" list Jewish causes among their primary charitable targets, most don't.
Indeed, the Jewish Journal article laments the fact that the overwhelming majority of those Jewish mega-donations aren't going to specifically Jewish causes. However, the nature of tzedakah is very different from the idea of charity. The word "charity" suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and powerful for the benefit of the poor and needy.
The word "tzedakah" is derived from the Hebrew root Tzadei-Dalet-Qof, meaning righteousness, justice or fairness. In Judaism, giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act; it is simply an act of justice and righteousness, the performance of a duty, giving the poor their due.
Giving to the poor is an obligation in Judaism, a duty that cannot be forsaken even by those who are themselves in need. Some sages have said that tzedakah is the highest of all commandments, equal to all of them combined, and that a person who does not perform tzedakah is equivalent to an idol worshipper.
This is probably hyperbole, but it illustrates the importance of tzedakah in Jewish thought. Tzedakah is one of the three acts that gain us forgiveness from our sins. The High Holiday liturgy repeatedly states that G-d has inscribed a judgment against all who have sinned, but teshuvah repentance , tefilah prayer and tzedakah can alleviate the decree.
The synagogue also has a Jewish day centre in which volunteers cook a meal each Tuesday for the aged members of the community. Mitzvah Day is a Jewish-led day of social action. Mitzvah Day takes place each year, and thousands of Jews will take an active role in supporting the community. This involves taking a hands-on approach to help create a better world without the use of fundraising. The mission on this day is:. Mitzvah Day is based on many of the Jewish practices and values which promote human rights, eg:.
Explain the Jewish practices which promote human rights. There are many Jewish practices and values which support and promote human rights.
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