Charity
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Communal Offerings and Synagogue Dedications
In Numbers, ch.28, the laws of the Mussaf offerings [a form communal sacrifices] are discussed. How were the animals, flour, oil, and wine paid for? From Temple funds, or did people ‘bid’ on them, as many congregations do today for…
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Wealthy Lifestyle
Is there anything wrong with wanting a nice car of a big house? Would G-d consider this greedy? Answer: The Torah teaches us that we should give, if we can affort to, a 10th or a 20th of their income…
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High Holiday Charity
Is there a prescribed amount or a specific time of year that one should be donating to charity or those less fortunate than one’s self? Answer: Generally, one should donate at least 10% of one’s earnings to charity (assuming one…
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Symbolism of “Chai”, 18
What is the significance of the number 18? What is its importance and what is the meaning of the word Chai? What lessons can it teach us today? Answer: In Hebrew, each letter has a numerical value. The number 10…
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When the Recipient of Charity Says It’s Not Enough
If I give a poor person a few dollars (whatever it is that I have available) and they ask for more, saying that what I gave is not enough, what is the proper response? Should I give them more? Should…
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Helping the Poor Enjoy Passover
What is “ma’os chittim” and why do we make this contribution before Passover? Answer: Since God does not want you to enjoy the Passover without helping the poor enjoy it as well, the Rabbis created a custom that Jews should…
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Matanot La’evyonim – Giving to the Poor on Purim
My question is about giving to the poor on Purim. Now, I am fairly poor myself, and my family is having hard times as it is. Would it be appropriate to donate an item like food, clothing, or something else…