From: "Mark Fisher" <MIMI >
To: "jeevacation®gmail.com" leevacation®gmail.com>
Subject: Tzedaka--Charity
Date: Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:15:02 +0000
Importance: Normal
The literal meaning of the word Tzedaka is not charity. Rather, it comes from the word
Tzedek--rightousness, as in "Tzaddik"--a rightous person.
Thus, Tzedaka is the practice of rightousness which requires uprightness and wisdom.
Miamonides wrote a brief work, 8 Degrees of Charity, (attached), that comments on one aspect
of tzedaka. He lived in 1100-,1200 A.C.E. To put it in perspective, the Talmud was written
- 1,000 years before Maimonides lifetime. And the Talmud was compiled in a non-written
memorized form a 1,000 years prior to that. So Maimonides work below is a fraction of a
larger deeper picture, particularly in the aquisition of rightousness and the study of how to
properly assist G-d in his dispersion of resources by those who practice righousness
tzedaka.
For info re Maimonedes click the link below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maimonides
Eight Degrees of Charity:
Rambam, Hilchot Mat'not Ani'im 10:1,7-14
(Maimonides, Mishneh Torah, Laws of Gifts of (that belong to] the Poor)
Translated and copyright 1990, 2003 by Jonathan J. Baker
(Interpolations] in brackets, (scriptural citations} in braces.
1) We are required to take more care about the mitzva ["command"] of tzedaka [Tzedaka, unlike
"charity" (from Gk. karitas, "love"), is the Jewish legal requirement to do rightly with your
fellow person -- that is, to support him when he is in need.(Deut. 15:7-8)] than for any
other positive mitzva. For the mitzva of tzedaka is the sign of the righteous descendents of
Abraham our father, as "[God] has made known to him
(Abraham], so that he shall command his sons to do tzedaka." (Genesis
XVIII:19} The throne of Israel is not established, nor does true faith stand except through
tzedaka), for "through tzedaka will I [God] be established." (Isaiah LIV:14) And Israel will
not be redeemed except through tzedaka, for "Zion will be ransomed through judgment and
returned through tzedaka." (Isaiah I:27)
7) There are eight levels of tzedaka, each greater than the next. The
greatest level, above which there is no other, is to strengthen the name
of another Jew by giving him a present or loan, or making a partnership
with him, or finding him a job in order to strengthen his hand until he
needs no longer [beg from] people. For it is said, "You shall strengthen
the stranger and the dweller in your midst and live with him," (Leviticus
XXV:35} that is to say, strengthen him until he needs no longer fall [upon
the mercy of the community] or be in need.
8) Below this is the one who gives tzedaka to the poor, but does not know
to whom he gives, nor does the recipient know his benefactor. For this is
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performing a mitzva for the sake of Heaven. This is like the Secret
(Anonymous] Office in the Temple. There the righteous gave secretly, and
the good poor drew sustenance anonymously. This is much like giving
tzedaka through a tzedaka box. One should not put into the box unless he
knows that the one responsible for the box is faithful and wise and a
proper leader like Rabbi Hananya ben Teradyon.
9) Below this is one who knows to whom he gives, but the recipient does
not know his benefactor. The greatest sages used to walk about in secret
and put coins into the doors of the poor. It is worthy and truly good to
do this if those who are responsible for collecting tzedaka are not
trustworthy.
10) Below this is one who does not know to whom he gives, but the poor
person does know his benefactor. The greatest sages used to pack coins
into their scarves and roll them up over their backs, and the poor would
come and pick [the coins out of the scarves] so that they would not be
ashamed.
11) Below this is one who gives to the poor person before being asked.
12) Below this is one who gives to the poor person after being asked.
13) Below this is one who gives to the poor person gladly and with a smile.
14) Below this is one who gives to the poor person unwillingly.
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