A Jewish Idea- Charity

  

There is no Hebrew word for charity. That should be obvious. Charity, of course, comes from the Latin root ‘caritas’ which gives rise to two familiar words; care and cardiac. Charity puts forth the message that an act of caring comes from the heart.

     Of course there are Hebrew words that also convey the idea of love and caring. The most common Hebrew word for kindness is ‘chesed’ but chesed can also mean loyalty. How does loyalty connect to kindness? If we are loyal to God we are bound to extend support to other people. Furthermore if we are loyal to our fellow human beings we will conduct our lives in a caring manner.

     The Hebrew word that Jews INCORRECTLY render as charity is Tzedakah which means justice. The Hebrew perspective of improving our world is rooted in the principle that justice must permeate the world. A Tzedek-based view of the world calls for each of us to be responsible for all people in the world, regardless of who they are or what they look like, how they act or where they are from. A Tzedek-based view of the world repudiates discrimination against any and all people!

     Last Thursday I emailed you a message rejecting the discriminatory policy of a new state law recently enacted by Mississippi’s legislature and signed into law by its governor. For us Jews, Pesach is more than reading paragraphs in the Haggadah or chanting Kiddush and hearing the 4 Questions. Passover means taking action. The heart (cardio) of Pesach is working for freedom for all people.  Next week most of us will be sitting down to a Seder table and celebrating with loved ones. However, we must remember that there are people, near and far, who have no food for Pesach, no family with whom to celebrate and no freedom to enjoy.

     For that reason donating money to Jewish organizations in order that people have Passover food is at the heart of the holiday observance. Just as we must all work to inform every neighbor of the inalienable rights of all humans so must we share our funds with those in need.  Please make a donation to a Jewish agency in order that we can fulfill the heart of Pesach. This year we can all bring Tzedekah into our world.  As we mark our own Exodus we are obligated to support others who are fleeing oppression.

You may consider supporting any of the following agencies or you may send a donation to the Shul (wherein local needs will be supported).

May God bless you and all of your loved ones with health, peace and the ability to bring Tzedek into our world.

Rabbi Steve Silberman

Jewish Welfare Board JWB-This agency supports the needs of American Jews  serving in the armed forces by arranging Sedarim and providing holiday foods and packages throughout the entire year for servicewomen and service men all over the world.

The Joint-(American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee) –Active in 70 countries around the world to alleviate suffering of impoverished Jews and others.

Mazon- A Jewish funder of food banks, feeding programs and much more supplying money, training and education throughout America and beyond.