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Category: Traditional Treasures

Tzedakah - Charity

From various sources this month we would like to present you with some food for thought on the mitzvah (commandment) of tzedakah—charity, giving.

The Chafetz Chaim1

"We are duty-bound to be more careful of the mitzvah of charity than about all the other positive commandments: for charity is a distinguishing characteristic of the descendents of Avraham. The faith of truth cannot endure, except through charity; for Scripture says: "Zion shall be redeemed with Judgment, and those of her that return, with charity" (Isaiah 1:27). "Now it is necessary to give charity with a cheerful face, happily. Nothing bad ever results from charity. No one becomes poor from giving it; as Scripture says: 'The work of righteousness shall be peace’ (Isaiah 32:17)."

Mishna, Pirkei Avot 1:18

"Rabban Shimon ben-Gamliel said, 'The world is sustained by three things: judgment, truth, and peace, as it is said, 'Execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates’ (Zechariah 8:16)."

FFOZ comments: We can compare this verse with 1 Corinthians 13:1, below. Righteous judgment, 'rightly-dividing the truth’ (2 Timothy 2:15) builds faith, knowing and believing the truth of God’s promises engenders hope, and peace is a result of the outworking of love and kindness.

Brit Chadasha, 1 Corinthians 13:1

"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." (King James Version)

FFOZ comments: The word 'charity’ in this most well known chapter on love in the Brit Chadasha, is often also translated as 'love.’ The original Greek word agape (ag-ah’pay) does not describe a sexual love, but rather carries connotations of brotherly love, affection, good will, benevolence—the qualities that prompt one to give from one’s heart, however one is able...

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© 2009 First Fruits of Zion. All rights reserved. We encourage you to share this material with your friends for further personal study. However, This material may not be republished, in print, electronically, or any other form without our prior permission. Adapted from Bikurei Tziyon #64 .

For more information about this issue, click here.

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