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Charity 76 THE PRACTICES THAT HELP ACHIEVE THE GOALS The term ‘tzedakah’ has two meanings – ‘righteousness’ and ‘charity’. Charity is the right thing to do and so ‘tzedakah’ gradually came to mean ‘charity’ almost exclusively. It is first mentioned in the Torah as a characteristic of Abraham (Genesis 15: 6), in the sense of righteousness, and again in Genesis 18: 19, where it could mean both righteousness and charity, and it is commanded in Deuteronomy 15: 7–8. In Judaism all possessions are regarded as coming from God and every person is but a temporary guardian of what he has been given. Charity in the form of giving part of one’s possessions away is thus expected of every Jewish person. This is not simply a matter of philanthropy or generosity but a duty and an act of justice. Judaism regards the poor as having the right to food, clothing and shelter and that this must be honoured by the more fortunate. The Jewish year provides many opportunities to fulfil this commandment, e.g. at home before lighting the Shabbat candles, the mother or woman of the house will drop some money in the charity box. Before Yom Kippur, people will distribute money to charitable appeals (see section 4, p46, for the importance of charity in obtaining forgiveness for sins). There is a charity box in synagogue to which contributions are made every morning at prayers. Jewish children are also encouraged to put some of their pocket money into a charity box. There are many ways in which one can give charity. One can put money into a poor person’s hand but this may cause embarrassment. One can donate to a communal charity and, if desired, can do so anonymously. Judaism regards it as important to preserve human dignity and so considers some ways of giving charity as preferable to others. According to Maimonides 1 the best way of giving charity is to help the individual help himself by assisting him to become self-supporting. In this way the individual’s dignity is not lost, his self-respect is maintained and hopefully he reaches a position from which he in his turn can donate to those less fortunate. One should not give charity grudgingly. Charity should always be given cheerfully and compassionately. Charity may involve giving moral aid and comfort rather than or as well as money or materials. Here, one is giving of oneself. This may be by helping or visiting the sick, working with the elderly, comforting the bereaved or taking care of children whose parents are in difficulties. 1 Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, one of the greatest medieval Jewish scholars RMPS: WORLD RELIGIONS – JUDAISM (INT 2, H) © Learning and Teaching Scotland
THE PRACTICES THAT HELP ACHIEVE THE GOALS Rich and poor are equally able to provide this type of charity and indeed both rich and poor may be grateful to receive the charity of a helping hand or a kind word when they are in distress. Lashon Harah One serious offence in Judaism is lashon harah, which literally means ‘a tongue of evil’. This term is used to describe the passing on of unpleasant information about another person. This includes lying, slander, telling tales (‘Do not go about as a tale bearer’ – Leviticus 19: 16) and spreading rumours. Gossip of any kind – whether it be true, without malice or otherwise – is forbidden. Flattery too is considered in general to be offensive as it is regarded as a barrier to wisdom and knowledge, although it is permitted if it promotes peace, However, there are circumstances when passing on unpleasant, truthful information is necessary and permitted. For example, it would be right to warn an employer of a dishonest employee (or vice versa). The power of speech distinguishes man from other living creatures and Jews are required to take the responsibility of speech seriously. Each of the three daily prayer services ends with the recitation of the Amidah prayer during which Jews pray that God should ‘guard my tongue from evil and my lips from speaking falsehood’. Jews are expected to be truthful and not to humiliate or mislead a person by their use of the spoken word. ‘Say little and do much’ RMPS: WORLD RELIGIONS – JUDAISM (INT 2, H) 77 © Learning and Teaching Scotland
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Religious, Moral and Philosophical
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CONTENTS Introduction 1 Section 1:
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INTRODUCTION Using these support ma
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SECTION 1 JUDAISM - AN OVERVIEW The
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JUDAISM - AN OVERVIEW that commemor
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SECTION 2 What does it mean to be h
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The concept and image of God THE HU
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THE HUMAN CONDITION He had already
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Creation THE HUMAN CONDITION Jews b
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Shabbat THE HUMAN CONDITION God res
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THE HUMAN CONDITION of the Torah, c
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Suggestions for further reading and
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THE HUMAN CONDITION Yet, even in ju
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SECTION 3 Yetzer Harah and Yetzer T
Page 29 and 30: THE CAUSE OF THE HUMAN CONDITION Su
Page 31 and 32: Suffering is at times inexplicable
Page 33 and 34: SECTION 4 THE GOALS The meaning of
Page 35 and 36: THE GOALS The Shema is the most imp
Page 37 and 38: THE GOALS The meaning of obedience
Page 39 and 40: THE GOALS Activity 17 1. Give the r
Page 43 and 44: Activity 18 1. Read the Ten Command
Page 47 and 48: THE GOALS rest is commentary. Go an
Page 49 and 50: The importance of repentance Repent
Page 51 and 52: Rosh Hashanah THE GOALS Rosh Hashan
Page 53 and 54: Source THE GOALS For the sin that w
Page 55 and 56: 3. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are
Page 57 and 58: SECTION 5 The concept of the Messia
Page 59 and 60: Olam ha-Bah THE FINAL AIM OF EXISTE
Page 61 and 62: THE FINAL AIM OF EXISTENCE Genesis
Page 63 and 64: SECTION 6 The Torah THE MEANS Torah
Page 65 and 66: THE MEANS The prophetic writings al
Page 67 and 68: The Ten Commandments THE MEANS The
Page 69 and 70: Activity 26 THE MEANS (a) Categoris
Page 71 and 72: THE MEANS fifth century these were
Page 73 and 74: A page from the Talmud (see Activit
Page 75 and 76: THE MEANS Theoretically, the term h
Page 77 and 78: SECTION 7 Moral and social responsi
Page 79: THE PRACTICES THAT HELP ACHIEVE THE
Page 83 and 84: Rites of passage and education Brit
Page 85 and 86: THE PRACTICES THAT HELP ACHIEVE THE
Page 87 and 88: THE PRACTICES THAT HELP ACHIEVE THE
Page 89 and 90: APPENDIX Glossary APPENDIX Amidah:
Page 91 and 92: APPENDIX Tanakh: the term for the H
Page 93 and 94: Useful addresses J E Levingstone (f
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RMPS - Int2/Higher - World Religions - Judaism - Education Scotland

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