Tzedakah - Doing Good Deeds
Giving to others, in any way you can, is an obligation not a choice. We can give a smile, a meal, our time, a helping hand, material goods or funding. Doing good deeds helps the soul of the giver as much as the body and soul of the receiver.
In Hebrew, the word Tzedakah actually means justice or righteous. "According to Jewish teaching, with the time and money you give, you help balance the scales for those in need and you fill the world with loving kindness." [ Amiee Golant ]
In Hebrew, the word Tzedakah actually means justice or righteous. "According to Jewish teaching, with the time and money you give, you help balance the scales for those in need and you fill the world with loving kindness." [ Amiee Golant ]
Levels of Tzedakah
Certain kinds of tzedakah are considered more meritorious than others. The Talmud describes these different levels of tzedakah, and Rambam organized them into a list. The levels of charity, from the least meritorious to the most meritorious, are:
- Giving begrudgingly
- Giving less that you should, but giving it cheerfully.
- Giving after being asked
- Giving before being asked
- Giving when you do not know the recipient's identity, but the recipient knows your identity
- Giving when you know the recipient's identity, but the recipient doesn't know your identity
- Giving when neither party knows the other's identity
- Enabling the recipient to become self-reliant
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