Jewish Life #54. Sjemot #11: Six Categories of Tzedakah

In parashah Teruma we learn about the contribution of the Children of Israel to the Tabernacle. The contribution was voluntary. God told Moshe not to collect for the Tabernacle by using force, because the Tabernacle was to be built only if the nation felt the need to build a home for God on their own.
 
In most commentaries on the first verses of parashah Teruma, the topic of tzedakah is accentuated. Tzedakah is considered as charity and explained as an act of justice (as the word ‘tzedakah’ implies). 
 
In this short blog, I will highlight six categories of tzedakah in order of importance.
 

1. Anything that involves possible loss of life is the first priority. This includes sick poor people who may die, as well as redeeming captives;
2. Supporting the learning of Torah. This includes supporting a house of learning (beit midrash) and providing material to study (Torah books etc.);
3. Helping and supporting poor people who are ill. This includes all forms of assistance to help them to get back to health;
4. Building and maintaining a synagogue;
5. Marrying off orphans. This category applies to anyone who cannot afford to get married, or those who are lacking finances for a proper wedding and beginning a family;
6. Sustaining the poor in general, to begin within your own family and close circle of friends and neighbors. 

 
After we received the gift of Torah (parashah Yitro) and learned about its details (parashah Mishpatim), we now learn to give and contribute ourselves. To give, Rav Kook stated, makes us better people. The ability to give is a characteristic of adulthood, core to a Jewish lifestyle. This is why Emanuel Levinas says: Judaism is a religion for adults. 
 
To give is to get. Every act of kindness contributes towards one’s own spiritual growth.      


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