Tzedakah: In short Tzedakah is the right thing to do We live in a world with others. Our role is to make this world a better place - that means make the world better for others. The Torah states that we should give Tzedakah. Hashem gave us the Mitzvah of Tzedakah, we should give and share and that makes us righteous – doing what Hashem wants us to do. We’re not just being nice; we’re actually fulfilling a direct Mitzvah from Hashem. The first 3 letters of the word Tzedakah is its root word, “Tzedek”, which means right, righteous. This means that Tzedakah is the right thing to do. Whether we want to or not, or we’re in the mood or not, we need to give Tzedakah. Some people translate Tzedakah as charity. The word charity is derived from the Latin caritas, meaning love; the word Tzedakah comes from the Hebrew root Tzedek, meaning justice or righteousness. Charity implies that your heart motivates you to go beyond the call of duty. Tzedakah, however, literally means righteousness or justice, doing the right thing whether in the mood or not. Judaism sees Tzedakah not as a noble act of generosity, but as a moral act of justice. To give is simply the right thing to do. Hashem created some people to be poor. So that others can give to them. The money you have is not really yours. Hashem gave it to you to share with others, to give Tzedakah. Hashem gave some people a lot and some a little. Even poor people can give to someone that has less. What is Tzedakah Tzedakah is giving to others what they don’t have. It can be your money, time, talents, or any resource (food, clothing, toys, etc.). When you give Tzedakah, whatever you give is being used for a Mitzvah; that makes it Kadosh! When we positively interact with others, we are bringing Kedusha into our actions. How to give Tzedakah It is worthy to give some Tzedakah every day (except those days on which we do not handle money Shabbat, holidays), so we are constantly reminded to care about others. Our Rabbis (the Rambam) state: "How often we give Tzedakah is more important than how much." When we give Tzedakah, we must be careful not to embarrass the recipient. צדקה ולא חסד /רק פיקדון אצלו –לקוטי שיחות חלק ב' עמוד 410 (1 הכול לפי רוב המעשה-תניא (2 http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/390485/jewish/A-History-of-the-Charity-Box.htm http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/814118/jewish/Charity-Tzedakah.htm http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/824010/jewish/Charity-Box-Power.htm Resources CECE@Kinus 5777 As part of this "Tzedakah Campaign," the Rebbe Jews trying to serve G-d properly, she needs Divine suggested distributing charity boxes bearing the name assistance to ensure that the food is all truly kosher and of no specific charity, in order to encourage Jews to prepared in the kosher way (especially these days when simply give charity -- to whichever worthy cause they all food is prepared, partially or completely, outside the choose. home so that she has no control over some stages of its preparation). The Rebbe often stressed the importance of giving charity daily, especially before prayer when we need For her to merit receiving such Divine help, the the special merit of charity to make more sure our Rebbe proposed that in every kitchen, prayers are received and answered. He also suggested permanently affixed in front of where the food is that whenever a group studies Torah, they should, if prepared, should be a charity box to aid those in possible, pray one of the daily prayers immediately need of the most elementary needs of food and before or after study, and always place a charity box on drink. When the Almighty sees her giving charity, the table, thereby combining the merit of charity with accompanied by philanthropic feelings towards that of Torah study and prayer. those less fortunate, even those whom she has never met nor heard of, He will treat her, too, On many occasions, the Rebbe mentioned the charitably, helping her ensure that her food be all importance of having a charity box (in addition to kosher and also tasty! Jewish holy books) in every home, office, shop and store, at banks, hospitals, army-bases and other public Furthermore, by giving charity before her meal, institutions, and also in every car and bus (where safety she connects her own meal with that of the needy, is especially urgent), particularly school-buses. And he considering their needs while taking care of her emphasized that we should make sure to actually use own and her family’s. Although the charity she these charity boxes regularly, preferably daily. now gives may not reach the poor for some time, meanwhile she already has the merit of the mitzvah. Charity Starts in the Kitchen Even on the Shabbat and Holidays, when she Shortly before Rosh Hashanah 1988, the Rebbe cannot give charity because money may not be introduced another novel development of this theme. held, the charity box will remind her of her Torah obligations to care for the needs of others less The Rebbe proposed that in every kitchen, fortunate, and to give as soon as she may do so. permanently affixed, should be a charity box For this reason, the charity box should be in a Speaking before an audience of thousands of women of prominent place in the kitchen, where visitors, all ages, he spoke about the central importance of food neighbors and friends will notice it, so that they, being kosher. Of course, it is a commandment of G-d too, will be reminded of their charitable that must be obeyed regardless of any reason we may obligations towards others. understand. Nevertheless, our Sages do tell us that food has a profound influence upon our character. When the charity box is affixed to the wall or Meat from a non-kosher animal, for example, can elsewhere, Jewish law considers it a permanent foster traits of cruelty, while kosher food, on the other and integral part of the house. Therefore the hand, helps refine our character. This is especially house may now be considered a "House of important in the education of children, whose Charity," for part of it is permanently devoted to characters are in the process of developing. charity. In the same way, the charity box each child has should be affixed (with a nail etc.) in a The responsibility and privilege of keeping this precept prominent place on the wall of his or her properly rests upon the Jewish wife and mother more bedroom, rendering the entire room a "Room of than other family members, because she is usually Charity," and setting an example to emulate for all most involved in preparing meals. However, like all friends who visit the room and notice it. Resources CECE@Kinus 5777 Tzedakah: How to give, how much to give, and the uniquely Jewish perspective on charity Why? Because when you write a check for $365, a good cause gets another $365. But give a dollar every day for 365 days -- and your hand becomes a giving hand. As an anonymous Jewish sage wrote, "A person is more influenced by the things he does than by the knowledge he is taught." So if you want to pick yourself up, get into some elevated habits. Like dropping coins in a box. Holy Space And it's not just you -- your pushka will pick up Tzedakah—often translated as charity—is a mainstay your living space as well. "A charity box in a of Jewish life. The sages teach that the world was home or office," the Lubavitcher Rebbe taught, built upon kindness. However, tzedakah goes one "redefines the entire space. It is no longer just a step beyond. Literally translated as “justice” or home, just an office. It is a center of kindness “righteousness,” tzedakah tells us that sharing what and caring." we have with others isn't something special. It's the honest and just thing to do. That is why the Rebbe suggested making a pushka box a permanent fixture of your home Tzedakah is not limited to gifts of money. Sharing or office. Affix it to a wall. Or more correctly: time, expertise, or even a kind smile are all forms of Affix your house to it. charity that we can do. Elevated Moments No matter how much you were blessed with, you can always share with others. Throwing a coin into a Then there's your time. Time needs to be charity box every morning (except for Shabbat and elevated, too. One action elevates the time in Jewish holidays) sets the tone for the rest of the day. which it was done. Many actions -- even if So make sure to make it a habit. they're small actions -- elevate so many more moments. That's why the Baal Shem Tov taught, "Don't let a day go by without its own act of giving." More Action The Kabbalists call this, "elevating time, space "How often," said the 12th century sage and person." Or you could just call it, "making a Maimonides, "is more important than how much." better world." Resources CECE@Kinus 5777 .