Charity in Hebrew is usually translated as tzedakah but there is a crucial difference between the two concepts. When we understand the word tzedakah, we learn a profound lesson about the Jewish attitude to giving. The root of the word tzedakah is tsedek, which means justice and righteousness. The word charity, however, carries intonations of benevolence. When we give tzedakah, we do not believe that we have gone above and beyond the call of duty; rather, we have simply fulfilled the demands of justice; we’ve done the right thing. This belief is based on the concept that everything that we possess is a gift from God, and He has specified that we should share that gift with others. Surely, if we share this gift, we cannot claim to be doing anything extraordinary, merely that which is morally correct. In fact, Jewish law mandates that the court estimate how much each individual is capable of donating to charity and if he does not voluntarily give this amount, the court may force him to do so! This practice – which treats tzedakah as a fulfillment of justice rather than voluntary benevolence – was followed by Jewish communities for thousands of years.
Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch expressed the logic of giving in Jewish thought:
Why should God give you more than you need unless He intends to make you the administrator of the blessing for the benefit of others, the treasurer of His reassures? Every penny you can spare is not yours, but should become a tool for bringing blessing to others – and would you close your hand on something that is not yours?
