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Charity, Tzedaka, Priorities


Question:

I know that giving charity is part of the “genetics of Judaism” and I’d like to give what I can. Would you please guide me to the source of this tradition, and how I can best choose the best causes? Thank you for your help and for this service.



AskTheRabbi.org answered:

Giving charity to the needy is a mitzvah of the Torah and has been an essential practice in Judaism throughout our nation’s history. The verse states “When there will be a poor person from among your brethren in one of your gates in your land which the Lord your God gives you, don’t harden your heart and don’t close your hand to your needy brother. Rather, open wide your hand.” (Deut. 15:7-8).

As to choosing the best way to fill this mitzvah, we are taught by Maimonides and the Code of Jewish Law that there are priorities and “levels” that serve as guidelines for our giving. In fact, there are eight ways to fulfill this mitzvah, and I will list them all, in descending order, starting with the best.

1) To help a needy person establish a business or invest in an existing venture that is in need of temporary financial aid.

2) To give charity without the recipient knowing who gave it and without the donor knowing to whom it went. 

3) Where the donor knows to whom the charity is going, but the recipient does not know who donated the money. 

4) Where the donor is unaware of whom the recipient is, but the recipient knows who donated the money. 

5) To give charity to a poor person before he actually asks for it. 

6) To give the amount of charity that the donor is asked for. 

7) To give less than is asked for in a pleasant way. 

8) The last level is to give charity in an unfriendly way.

(Maimonides, Laws of Charity 10:7-14; Code of Jewish Law, Yoreh Deah 249:6-13)

Please allow me to point out that there are very many needy organizations and individuals, and nowadays, due to unfortunate corruption that exists in certain cases, it is advisable to give to a charitable cause that has been properly vetted. You may check out the integrity of the cause by yourself if you like, but most major charitable funds for the needy are under rabbinical supervision to ensure that the money given arrives intact in accordance with the desire of the giver.


 
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