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Charity is a universal activity. You find it in every religion, culture, community, nation and group. At some point every individual does, receives, or needs to get or do it.
Our good friend Arch Man and I will present some of the ideas about charity from each of our heritages here. This article is not and cannot be exhaustive or definitive about charity. We ask in the comments section that you add to what we start by sharing your personal and group thoughts. Any positive expression of ideas about charity from your life, and your heritage of any kind are most on point and warmly welcomed.
GIVING - THE BLESSING OF CHARITY. BY ARCH MAN
ATTITUDE OF GIVING: (2 Corinthians 9:7). Each man shall give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for G-d loves a cheerful giver.
Our hearts are to be open and willing to bless others, looking on the needs of others, not just on ourselves. G-d gives to us with a heart of compassion. He cares about all His creation; so it is with this attitude we should in turn be willing to help others.
ACT OF GIVING: (Acts 20:35). It is more blessed to give than to receive. Giving is a choice we make: In our daily lives, as we go through the day we come across many people who have needs: the people that we work with, in our homes, the members of our family. The Greek origin of the word giving is Didomi, used in a very wide application: bestow, bring forth, commit, grant. We need not necessarily open our wallet to give, nor do we need to look far for those to whom we can give.
A). People we cross paths with, even for just a moment. We have an opportunity to bless them. A gesture as small as a smile or a nod or a kind word can make soemone's day. Allowing others to go first in line can help to lighten their load and lower thier stress level. These simple acts cost us very little and go a long way.
B). People we work with: At work, do I strive to meet my own goals or do I care about my fellow workers and employer? There are opportunities we have to help co-workers get ahead and do well. Do I teach them what I have learned so that they can improve and find favor with the company? Do I look out for my co-worker? Do I take an interest in their lives? Do we even listen to what they share with us? There are many ways we can bless them and one of the easiest ways is to listen. Just by listening we can find ways to help.
C). Family and Friends: I can have an impact on my friends and family by giving in many ways: showing my interest in their welfare, caring, helping to lighten their daily load. I can do more than my share of household chores, doing small things to make them feel special and telling them how special they are on a daily basis.
REWARD OF GIVING: There are many blessings of giving: G-d gives us many promises when we obey Him and bless our fellow man. Here are some Scriptures that tell us what to expect from giving.
(2 Corinthians 9:6) Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly, will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
(2 Corinthians 9: 8-9) And G-d is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, His righteousness endures forever.
(Luke 6: 38) Give, and it will be given you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured in your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
(Matthew 6: 3-4) But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that it may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
It is a good feeling we get when we help others knowing it makes their lives easier and knowing that we please G-d who blesses us. We ca see by the Scripture that G-d is a rewarder of those that give and bless others. All of our deeds bless us in this life and the next. What you do for and to others you do to yourself. Why not begin to be a blessing to others?
THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHARITY - BY ENOCH 2699399
Charity is a dual blessing. It can be a lifeline to those in need. It is also an important past of spiritual and emotional health, and of the character of the person performing charity. Why?
In Machzorim Rosh Ha Shanah and Yom Kippur (the prayer books for the High Holy Days of the New Year and Day of Atonement) the following is central to both holidays, and the time frame separating them in regard to charity.
It is written that the Holy One, blessed be writes in the Sefer Chayim (Book of Life) on the New Year what fate will be in store for us. That fate is written on Rosh ha Shanah. It is not inscribed and sealed until the end of services on Yom Kippur (Neelah - concluding service with the blowing of the Shofar (Ram's Horn). In between Rosh ha Shanah and Yom Kippur are Yomim ha Norah-eem (Days of Awe). In that time frame, for the sake of our doing three things will the True Judge of our actions re-write in the Book of Life our fate for the coming year. Who will be born, and who will die? Who will be healthy, and who ill? Who will prosper, and who lack? What are the three things we can do to improve our fate forthcoming?
Tefilah, Teshuvah, veh Tzaddakah. If we do Prayer, Repentance and Charity G-d will improve our fate in the year to come. Let's focus in on charity.
We are all familiar with making donations, and fund raising drives. That is part of a healthy caring community. We are supposed to be our brother's keeper (Genesis 4:9). Charity is one way to look our for each other. We are to be there when and as needed. What else constitutes an act of charity?
We can be charitable with ourselves, with those around us, and with our material environment. We are none of us perfect. We can forgive minor transgressions, if they do not endanger us or others. We can forgive errant behavior to us that affects only us. We do need to balance safety, and being played by sociopaths against giving people a second chance. We can do this for others. We first have to deal with our own shortcomings. If we can balance being charitable with our morality and fallibility to focuws on practical improvement we can do so for others too. We can also prioritize what is most in need of repair and improvement in ourselves. We should start that with how what we do affects others. As with so much in life, we learn first how to do right byh others first by mastering how to do good for ourselves.
In the original Biblical Hebrew the word for charity, Tzadakkah comes from the same shoresh (verb root stem - tzadde dallet kuk TDK) as the word Tzedek (justice). Wha is the philological connection between being charitable and just?
In the Torah, it is written Justice Justice shall you pursue (Deuteronomy 16:20). The word, Justice, is repeated for emphasis. We are supposed to seek out justice. Look for opportunities to do justice. As the meanings of the words spring from the same source should we not also seek out the opportunity to do charity? To search for chances to be charitable?
Being just and charitable are very much connected on the interpersonal, communal, and societal levels. If we do not hold people responsible for their actions are we really being charitable to them? Is denying them the chance at improvement an act of charity? How are we doing them a favor to ignore the harm that they intentionally do? If we push the pursuit of justice to the point everyone suffers counterproductive consequences which shut down our ability to function for fear of error will we not live in a police state, bereft of freedom to do right, better? How do we achieve the tricky balance of being just with being charitable?
There is a prayer recited on Rosh ha Shanah, Yom Kippur and fast days by Rabbi Akiva. Itis called Avinu Malkeinu (Our Father, Our King). In it the following appears.
Avinu Malkeinu chaneinu va anaynu, ki ain banu ma'asim, asei im'manu tzadakkah va'chesid, v'ho'shiay'nu.
Our Father, Our King, be gracious with us, and answer us, though we have no worthy deeds: treat us with charity and kindness, and save us.
In this very clear exposition, charity is best understood.
As with all religions, we look to G-d as our ultimate role model for positive action. We seek the grace of G-d to treat us with charity and kindness. This gift will be our salvation.
Among practitioners of Judaism G-d has yet to let us down on all eternally important counts. Can or should we do less and be less charitable and kind to help others in need?
