ABOUT TZEDAKAH
(the Jewish charity)
What is tzedakah? - I ask pastor of
Messianic congregation "Kehilat Mashiah" in Atlanta ( USA )
Shomer
- The word Tzedakah translated from Hebrew literally means
righteousness or justice because there is no word for charity in Hebrew. Thus
tzedakah is of course a financial or material donation which tzadiks (righteous
ones) give. Tzedakah is an integral part of Jewish society and life from the
ancient times. In Torah quite a lot is written about donations and help for the
poor. A famous rabbi and commentator of the texts Rambam, who lived in the 12
century wrote these words in chapter 7of Mishnei Torah: "Even poor man
living through tzedakah must give tzedakah to the other” . In ancient
times God established a system of support of His temple and the priests through
tzedakah. Thus all priests, an entire tribe and the Temple , all its services
and system depended on the other 11 tribes of Israel (Vaikra - Leviticus
27:32-34) The orphans, widows, sick people and beggars were supported by
tzedakah too. All others had to try earning a living for themselves somehow.
One of the commandments in the Torah speaks about the corners of the field
which the owners are not supposed to harvest intentionally. They were intended
for the poor and for the strangers in the land. In the book of Ruth we see an
excellent example of that commandment, when the Moabitess being widow gathers
the grain along the corners of one of the fields.
How much tzedakah American people give to
needy usually?
- This is different in each congregation. I cannot answer for all
America . Personally I am of the opinion that people have to follow the example
of the Scriptures, their spirit and their teachings. No one needs to be forced
to donate some concrete figure.
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he
which soweth bountifully
shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not
grudgingly, or of necessity:
for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having
all sufficiency in all
things, may abound to every good work: 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Tzedakah has to be a result of the grateful heart, a result of the surplus
which a man cannot help but share with others because God blessed him.
"All Jews are responsible one for
another". What does this principle by which Jewish people live
means?
- These words come from the Talmud, from Shevuot 39a. What do they
mean? Jewish people are people united together for ever. They have been united
by one thread, one fate, one destiny. Whether religious or secular, educated or
common, rich or poor, good or bad, their fates are united together. The
non-Jewish world always characterizes Jewish people as one, and all the
stereotypes show the tendencies of such public attitude. If one Jew was at
fault, then his fault is to the detriment of all other Jews. Of course we
understand that it is unfair, but we live in unfair world - this is our
reality.
In Vaikra - Leviticus 19:17 we can read: "Thou shalt not hate thy brother
in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor, and not suffer sin
upon him. " Torah advises us to rebuke and correct our neighbor, that is
to show him the right path. Torah warns us that in the worst case we will be
forced to suffer the consequence of our neighbor’s sin ourselves. I think the
Talmud tells us just about this very case. Jewish people have
help one another not only by tzedakah but through other ways too. We often see
in Tanakh how God treats to His people as one. He addresses the entire society
through the prophets, but not each person individually. When the majority of
the people of Israel begins to bow down to idols and graven images, then God
sends punishment to all people, not only to those who are guilty. That's why we
are responsible one for another.
04. 2004
Tzedakah box
For a long time there is a good tradition in the Jewish houses to have tzedakah
box (charity box). Jews put donations here when they want to thank G-d or ask
about help. Too they put tzedakah before prayer in the morning, before a long
journey etc. On Fridays in the evening before the lighting of shabat candles
the mistress of the house put some money in the tzedakah box . When box is
overcrowded money are given on charity. (The talks on themes of the weekly
chapters of Torah. In Russian. A publishing house HAMA 5755 (1995) http://www.chassidus.ru/nedelnaya_glava/besedy/behar.htm)
''The tradition of Tzedakah (righteousness) is a fundamental part of Jewish
living. There are many forms of righteous behavior, but giving charity is among
the most basic. Charity is compulsory in Jewish tradition, because the poor
need it. Charity is considered a befitting way to celebrate a simchah (happy
occasion) ... mark the passage of time (people often give charity around the
time of various holy days). A pushke (charity box) can be found in most every
Jewish home, and it is traditional to give children money each week just prior
to Shabbat, to teach them the commandment of tzedakah.'' (http://scheinerman.net/judaism/rituals/tzedakah.html)
About the Jewish charity in Ukraine in the end of 19-th century - at the beginning of 20-th century
A characteristic feature of the Jewish charity in the end of 19-th century - at the beginning of 20-th century in Ukraine was an overall, complex public welfare: the financial help, the dinners, the education, the social treatment (the hospitals, the sanatoriums and so on) etc.
Kharkov
At the beginning of 20-th century in Kharkov Jews actively practised charity. There were the Society of helping to poor Jews of Kharkov. This society had:
- The department of the distribution of the cash benefits and the other help;
- The cheap dining room and the tea-room;
- The Jewish man's school;
- The Jewish woman's school with an industrial department;
- The free ambulance station;
- The field hospital for wounded soldiers (''All Kharkov for 1916 year'', Kharkov, 1916, p.177).
There were both the paid dinners and free dinners in the cheap dining room. The pensioners, soldiery and the prisoners received the free dinners. In the 1915 year the dining room gave 193,024 dinners (162,533 of them were paid ones, 25,494 were free ones and 4,997 were for staff). (''The report on an activity of the Society of helping to poor Jews of Kharkov for 1915 year'', Kharkov, 1916, p.34).
There were the Jewish funeral brotherhood (''All Kharkov for 1916 year'', Kharkov, 1916, p.178), Kharkov department of the society of the public health service of the Jewish people, Kharkov Jewish committee of the helping to war victims (ib., p.186), Kharkov department of the society of the education's dissemination between
Jews in Russia (ib., 188), a man's gymnasium with the boarding school for Jewish children (ib., 108), a kindergarten of the society of the education between the Jews in Russia (ib., 126).
Kiev and Odessa
In Kiev and Odessa there were many charitable organizations. Odessa congregation had free hospital for poor people, orphanage, free dining room, an old people's home, country-sanatoriums for ill children. Kiev congregation had free hospitals, the ambulance stations, surgical hospital, sanatorium for consumptives, child's sanatorium etc. Jews quite often helped to Christians too: during the hunger of 1891 year the congregation of Romni of Poltava province collected 1,000 roubles for needy peasants, the congregations of Proskurov and of small town Novaya Ushitza (Podolsk province) collected in 500 roubles (Electronic Jewish encyclopedia http://www.eleven.co.il/article/15409).
Kiev department of the Society for education's dissemination between Jews in Russia had two Jewish kindergarten, exemplary heder (Jewish school), Saturday's school for adult people, a library which counted almost 6,500 books etc. (Electronic Jewish encyclopedia http://www.eleven.co.il/?mode=article&id=12072&query=ÊÈÅÂ)
Odessa department of the Society for education's dissemination between Jews in Russia in 1910 year supported 13 primary schools and four evening schools (almost 2,000 people studied there) (Electronic Jewish encyclopedia http://www.eleven.co.il/?mode=article&id=13047&query=ÎÄÅÑÑÀ)
Lvov (Lviv) and Chernovtzi
Many Jews lived on philanthropy. In Lvov (Lviv) in the end
of 19-th century - at the beginning of 20-th century there were 86
congregational and almost 200 private charitable organizations which helped to
needy people. There were the Jewish orphanage, a hospital, an
old people's home too. The Jewish orphanage was established in
the beginning of 20-th century in Chernovtzi. This orphanage was one of the
most well-equipped ones in Europe. (Electronic
Jewish encyclopedia http://www.eleven.co.il/article/15409)
In the end of 19-th century - at the beginning of 20-th century in the Eastern Galitzia and the Northern Bukovina took place the marked change. Tens Jewish schools and secondary special educational institutions were established (together with heders (Jewish schools) which were at synagogues with the help of Bnai-Brith, Hilfsferein ("Help Organization" in Yiddish) and especially a charitable fund of baron M.Girsh who donated 4 millions dollars in 1891 for these aims). (Electronic Jewish encyclopedia http://www.eleven.co.il/article/15409)
Dnepropetrovsk
The end of 19-th century... The Jewish congregation was one of the most organized ones in Russia. A congregation had a system of educated (incl. yeshiva) and charitable institutions. (Electronic Jewish encyclopedia http://www.eleven.co.il/?mode=article&id=11444&query=ÄÍÅÏÐÎÏÅÒÐÎÂÑÊ)
T Z A D I K
Who is tzadik? ''But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and
right, [And] hath not eaten upon the
mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel,
neither hath defiled his neighbour's wife, neither hath come near to a
menstruous woman, And hath not oppressed any, [but]
hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath
given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment; He [that] hath not given forth upon usury, neither
hath taken any increase, [that] hath
withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and
man, Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he [is] just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord
GOD.'' (Ezek 18:5-9)
''He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings [are they] on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted. And if [they be] bound in fetters, [and] be holden in cords of affliction; Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded. He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity. If they obey and serve [him], they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures. But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.'' (Job 36:7-12)
''For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as [with] a shield.'' (Psalms 5:12)
''The eyes of the LORD [are] upon the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their cry (prayer).'' (Psalms 34:15)
''For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.'' (Psalms 37:17)
''The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.'' (Psalms 37:21)
''I have been young, and [now] am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.'' (Psalms 37:25)
''The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.'' (Psalms 37:29)
''The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.'' (Psalms 37:30)
''The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. The LORD will not
leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.'' (Psalms 37:32-33)
''But the salvation of the righteous [is] of the LORD: [He is] their strength in the time of trouble.'' (Psalms 37:39)
''Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.'' (Psalms 55:22)
''The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; To shew that the LORD [is] upright: [he is] my rock, and [there is] no unrighteousness in him.'' (Psalms 92:12-15)
''A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.'' (Psalms 112:5-6)
''Blessings [are] upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.'' (Prov 10:6)
''The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.'' (Prov 10:24)
''The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.'' (Prov 10:30)
''The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked [speaketh] frowardness.'' (Prov 10:32)
''The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.'' (Prov 11:8)
''When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, [there is] shouting.'' (Prov 11:10)
''The fruit of the righteous [is] a tree of life; and he that winneth souls [is] wise.'' (Prov 11:30)
''Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.'' (Prov 13:21)
''In the house of the righteous [is] much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.'' (Prov 15:6)
''The LORD [is] far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.'' (Prov 15:29)
''The just [man] walketh in his integrity: his children [are] blessed after him.'' (Prov 20:7)
''He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.'' (Prov 21:26)
''The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise [child] shall have joy of him.'' (Prov 23:24)
''Lay not wait, O wicked [man], against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place: For a just [man] falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.'' (Prov 24:15-16)
''The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.'' (Prov 28:1)
''When righteous [men] do rejoice, [there is] great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.'' (Prov 28:12)
''When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.'' (Prov 28:28)
''When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.'' (Prov 29:16)
''Say ye to the righteous, that [it shall be] well [with him]: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.'' (Isaiah 3:10)
''Again, When a righteous [man] doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous [man], that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.'' (Ezek 3:20-21)
''Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.'' (Matt 13:43)
''And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.'' (Matt 25:46)
Messiah Yeshua was Tzadik (the Righteous Man):
''He shall see of the travail of his soul, [and] shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall My righteous servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities.'' (Isaiah 53:11)
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