Tzedakah - No small change
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We all have our morning self care routines. Some of us run. Some (most?!) of us drink a steaming cup of coffee.
How about trying some self-less care?
Dropping a coin in a charity box to start your day, is a game changer. It creates a powerful conscious awareness of the value of giving to others.
“No one has ever become poor from giving.”
Why give?
Don’t give charity.
The translation of Tzedakah is actually justice. Tzedakah is not simply us being overly kind and giving away our hard earned money to those in need.
Giving Tzedakah is doing what is right. What is expected of us.
Tzedakah is believing that G-d allows us to be the executors of his money, spending some on our needs, and passing along the rest to those to whom G-d wants it to go to - those in need of a leg up.
Tzedakah is also a great addition to your investment portfolio. By giving Tzedakah regularly, G-d guarantees an incredible ROI, and interestingly enough, encourages us to try him out.
We’ll say Amen to that!
When to give?
It’s no small change.
Beginning your day by thinking of others sets the tone for the entire day.
A coin or bill dropped into a Pushka - Charity Box in the AM is a great flex of your giving muscle.
The base line level of giving is called Maaser - 10% of our income to Tzedakah on a regular basis. Create a regular habit of giving Maaser, perhaps by setting up an automatic monthly withdrawal to an account designated for charity.
Tzedakah is also a key part of the Teshuvah (repentance) process. Giving can be real hard. It can be a powerful inner struggle.
When asking G-d to overlook our mistakes, giving Tzedakah sends a strong message: We are willing to transcend our natural instinct and give when not beholden.
G‑d in turn will grant more than we are otherwise worthy of receiving, giving full forgiveness and blessing.
How to give?
Maimonides sets a brilliant ranking of charitable methods, from the most ideal to the least:
Giving someone a loan, entering a partnership or employing someone in need, allowing them to become self sufficient in an honorable way.
Giving Tzedakah to a charitable fund and not knowing who the recipient is, and the recipient not knowing who the giver is.
Giving Tzedakah and knowing to whom you give, but the recipient does not know their benefactor is.
Giving Tzedakah and not knowing to whom one gives, but the poor person does know his benefactor.
Giving directly to one in need, but before being asked.
Giving directly to one in need, after being asked.
Giving Tzedakah inadequately, but giving gladly and with a smile.
Giving Tzedakah unwillingly.
Low on cash? Cook a meal for a neighbor, visit someone who is ill, or volunteer at a local non profit.
Each of us has something to contribute to others: time, expertise, attention, or even a simple smile.
To whom should you give?
With so many great causes in need of funds, and limited resources on my part, how do I know where to best give my Tzedakah?
The Torah guides us on how to prioritize our giving.
Charity starts at home - family first. Likewise, local people in need and local organizations take precedence over faraway causes.
Charitable causes in Israel take precedence over non-local charities in the Diaspora.
Supporting the poor of the Holy Land has a long and proud history.
Chabad has been raising funds for the Jews of the Holy Land since 1788, making Colel Chabad the oldest continuously operating tzedakah network in Israel. Monies collected for the poor of Israel are often associated with Rabbi Meir Baal Haness.