Tzedakah

Tzədāqā or Ṣ'daqah ( Hebr: צדקה ), often also Tzedakah Tzedakah or translated, " charity ", is a Jewish commandment. Tzedaqa plays an important role in the Jewish tradition. Jewish men and women are committed to it alike.

According to Maimonides, there are eight stages of Tzedaqa:

Word origin

Tzedakah is derived from the Hebrew word for " justice " from. Most Tzedakah is however translated " charity " (or " Charity" ). The Hebrew word for "charity" is Hesed. Content between Hesed, charity, and Tzedakah, which can not be easily translated into the German language and for which there is no direct corresponding word, a contradiction.

Term Meaning

The concept of Tzedakah means that Jews are obligated to give of what God has entrusted to them, to share it and heal the world. So it is the poorest Jewish adult paupers nor imposed by what he has got and has to give a little. Only emergency aid and assistance for the defense of death and disease are excluded. According to the principle of " Measure for Measure ", which is from in Christian tradition often a misunderstood Torawort derived " eye for an eye ," Jews are obliged to give the fellow-men, which they are not guilty as they get entrusted by God, even though God owes them nothing. The concept of Tzedakah founded as the responsibility of all Jews who made ​​the cut Bund ( German as "Agreement" ) results of Israel with God. Tzedakah is so far not a virtue but a necessity, not a personal honor, but only right and proper, not generosity, but Tikkun Olam. Tzedakah is in its meaning clear about the meaning of the German word "charity", which happens sporadically and unverpflichtend, almost as generous, distinguishing virtue applies, which distinguishes a man out. Tzedakah is part of Judaism. Judaism is not a faith, which is the out -standing feature of Christianity, but rather a practice which to do the divine command, Tzedakah subject.

History

The Jewish Women's Federation

Tzedakah - alms had in addition to the assistance to the needy and the effect of poverty-related crime oppose. Jews organized later in the ghettos helping those in need. That case involved often organized by women actions that can be regarded as the beginnings of modern social work. In the 16th century gradually Jewish organizations helping with funerals ( Chevra Kadisha ) or weddings emerged offering. In the second half of the 19th century always more organizations were founded by women. They were mostly middle-class women who justified their activities with the Tzedakagebot. Some women criticized the unprofessional charity and looking for alternatives to social assistance. One of these reactions was the founding of the Jewish Women's League ( JFB ) and the Central Welfare Office of Jews in Germany.

Gallery

Tzedakah Box on Jewish grave stone. Jewish Cemetery ( Pappenheim ).

JNF collection box ( Pushke ). The blue box of the Jewish National Fund, collected gifts for building the Jewish homeland in Israel in the early years.

Tzedakah Box on Jewish grave stone. Jewish Cemetery Otwock, Poland.