Tzedakah

In the act of giving, there is more than simply being kind. The world turns on its axis, and galaxies and stars continue their movements because of giving. Nothing we possess is truly ours; God gives it to us so that we may give to others.

Giving is a mitzvah and a responsibility. As such, it has its own set of dos and don'ts:

The Obligation:

You're walking down the street and someone asks you for food. The mitzvah is to give them something. If they ask for money, you can ask a few questions to determine if they are worthy. If you don't have anything in your pocket, show empathy by saying a few kind and uplifting words. You can never simply keep walking.

Standard Jewish practice is to give 10% of net earnings to charity. Much has been written about what constitutes net earnings, and about whether tuition and other mitzvot-related expenses can be deducted from that 10%.

Since giving is a mitzvah, it's not just about helping others; it also elevates you. That's why we always have one. pushka (Piggy bank) at home and in the office. Simply put a few coins in it from time to time, at least once a day.

The Receiver:

Charity must be given to the needy, Torah institutions, Jewish institutions, and/or humanitarian causes. A family member experiencing financial hardship takes precedence over other cases. Similarly, local charities take precedence over those from elsewhere. Charitable causes within the Land of Israel take precedence over those in the Diaspora.

The result:

No other mitzvah evokes such a powerful divine response as the tzedakah. It makes sense: you take care of others and God takes care of you. Our sages say that tzedakah It atones for transgressions and protects against evil decrees.

This is a Jewish value that underlies several precepts of the Torah, such as helping the poor (in money and wisdom), donations to the Cohen and the Levi.

Contrary to popular belief, the word Tzedakah does not mean charity, but justice. When a person gives Tzedakah, they are expressing God's justice in the world by sharing and distributing their wealth to those they encounter who are in need.

God Himself could have established in His world that all people would have all their needs met without having to rely on others; however, part of the system itself is that humankind must reveal God on earth in all its endeavors, among which is justice. This justice does not only mean that good people are rewarded and wicked people punished, but also that the virtues with which God has endowed each person are distributed fairly.