Tzedakah

Tzedakah

Tzedakah is from the word meaning righteousness. A tzadek is a righteous person.

The term is used to describe the act of charity or giving. Tzedakah boxes are used for collecting donations. The Yiddish word for a tzedakah box is pushke. A tzedakah box or a pushke can be made from anything and can be used in the home to store up the money or in the synagogue.

Helping someone to become self-sufficient is considered the highest form of Tzedakah. The reasoning is similar to the saying that if you give someone a fish you helped him for a day; if you teach him how to fish you have fed him for a lifetime.

Tzedakah is more than just giving a donation. Tzedakah is a life of caring and the giving of one's self in order to help humanity. Since God is the giver of all things we give to others out of our gratitude to Him. Being a tzadek, a righteous person, and doing mitzvahs (good deeds) and giving tzedakah go hand in hand.

Originally from:  Jewish Discoveries by Jeff Zaremsky, page 224, which contains a total of 22 fascinating chapters of biblical history and lessons plus 25 rich Jewish tradition sections, and 27 powerful testimonies, with over 40 beautifully rendered professional works of art all on over 300 jam packed pages.  You can own this treasure by visiting www.Jewishheritage.net

Picture originally from here

Related Articles

More From Traditions

Bar Mitzvah

Bar Mitzvah

When a young boy reaches the age of thirteen, he is termed a bar mitzvah, which literally means…
Bar Mitzvah
Havdallah

Havdallah

Havdallah means “separation” and is a service used to separate the holiness of the Sabbath from…
Havdallah

Mikvah-Jewish Tradition

A mikvah, מקווה, is an immersion pool that is used for ceremonial cleansing.
Mikvah-Jewish Tradition
Plate of lox, as featured in Allan Sherman's song

There is Nothing Like a Lox

Do you like Jewish food? What is your favorite? Bagels and cream cheese? Blintzes?
There is Nothing Like a Lox

Adopt a Jewish Mother

Rent a son! In Japan people actually hire someone to be a “father” or “friend” for a day.
Adopt a Jewish Mother
A Stone to Remember

A Stone to Remember

Many cultures have different ways of dealing with death. One Jewish custom is to place a stone…
A Stone to Remember

Western Wall

The Western Wall is the western portion of the retaining wall of the Temple Mount where the…
Western Wall

Pointing to the Torah

When reading sometimes it is helpful to have something to guide us so we don’t skip a line of…
Pointing to the Torah

Shabbat Candles

One of the most well known Jewish customs connected with the observance of Shabbat (the…
Shabbat Candles

Tfillin

T'fillin, or phylacteries, are square black boxes traditionally worn on the head and arm.
Tfillin

Second Day of Festivals

Once the Beth Din had evidence that the new moon had been seen, (see FIXING THE CALENDAR) a new…
Second Day of Festivals

How to Make Kiddish

Kiddush, like candles, sanctifies the Sabbath. Making kiddush is a simple religious act that…
How to Make Kiddish

Tsitsit

The custom of putting Tsitsit, fringes or tassels, on the corners of garments originates in the…
Tsitsit

Jewish Wedding Rings

Even though we have modernized we still hold some sacred old traditions dear amongst the Jewish…
Jewish Wedding Rings

Publish the Menu module to "offcanvas" position. Here you can publish other modules as well.
Learn More.


donation