This is a blog about something very important to me and something that should be important to not only every Jew but to everyone! Tzedakah which come from the Hebrew root for justice but has turned into meaning charity. Maimonides has a tzedakah ladder and we are going to work from that beginning with the lowest level as he saw it.
Give only grudgingly. This one is pretty self explanatory really, you give because you feel you have to. This is the lowest rung on the ladder because the giver is only doing it because he feels that he has to give. One example I encounter very often are the homeless people begging for money in the area I work in. It is very hard by the shear numbers to give to them all and there are many that own houses and just do it for their job. This is the kind of action that I think makes many people bitter on giving because you really have no idea what your money will be used for. This really should not deter you from giving. I carry change in my pocket and give it daily till I run out for the day this way I am not out a lot of money not knowing where it is going. There have been days when I have bought lunch for someone instead of giving them money. I think this being the lowest level is actually one of the hardest to do and to not let it make you jaded.
Give willingly, but less than is appropriate. This shows that you want to give but you are not giving as much as you should be. I am not sure what the appropriate amount of giving is but they say give till it hurts. I honestly think that you can only be the judge of what is appropriate. If you make a lot of money you should give more but if you give money to lots of people then each would get less.
Give only after being asked. The giving is good but you should not have to be asked for money or help. You should be willing and able to step in and help others in what ever way then need. Do not be selfish with your money or your time.
Give before being asked. This is where it really starts to get good in my opinion. It truly shows that you want to honor the mitzvot not because you have to but because you want to. I do not think that tzedakah has to be money but it can also be time. Help someone with bags or heavy items don’t wait for them to ask just do it!
The next three in my opinion are the easiest to do!
Give so that the donor doesn’t know who the recipient is. How easy is this. Go to the grocery store and put some extra food in your cart and put it in the barrels for local food banks. It is so easy to give to a food bank or any organization and not know who the official recipient will be and it is a great feeling knowing that you are helping someone and they don’t have to feel indebted to you for your help. One of my favorite things to do is to give what is left of my paycheck when I get my next paycheck to my favorite organizations online. The organization gets the money to help but the recipients have no idea where it came from. It is so easy to do and I can not help but smile when I hit the donate now button.
Give so that the recipient doesn’t know who the donor is. Blind giving at its best. I always want to help in any way that I can but sometimes it gets difficult not to hurt feelings or make someone feel bad. So give from your heart and give so that it can not be traced back to you. Give cash, give to a food pantry, give to charity but always check the box anonymous if there is that option. Again no one will feel indebted to you for the gift and your mitzvah is held in higher esteem for the unselfish act.
Give so that neither donor nor recipient knows the identity of the other. Total anonymity! How can you go wrong don’t expect a thank you note but how better to help and honor from your heart than giving and expecting nothing in response. Give the money for a library and don’t put your name on the building, give a book to a library and don’t put your name in the book. Give to charity and don’t take the gift for giving “this” much money. Give because it is something that you believe in and something you want to do.
Help the recipient to rehabilitate themselves. This one is very difficult I think to not hurt feelings. It has to be approached from a good place but I think this would be the most rewarding gift to give. It was explained to be like this, if someone is hungry you can give them a fish or you can give them a fishing pole and teach them how to fish. Teach them a life skill so they can take care of themselves and their families. It is the ultimate sacrifice for the donor and receiver because both parties will have to check their egos and be open to giving. I think this would be an amazing gift to give someone and if I am lucky I would hope to be able to do this one day, not sure what my skill would be but I will figure it out.
Maimonides had it right when he came up with this ladder. I think it is a great guide to tzedakah and we could all use a refresher course in that. Give because you want to give not because you feel you have to give. I am sure in some way or another each and everyone of you have been on the receiving end of tzedakah at some point so now is your chance to refresh your beliefs and pay it forward with money, time, teaching a skill. Just remember the honor of doing mitzvot and get out there and just do it.
