How Hollywood Humanizes Homeless Trash, plus a torah ethics question.

[muman613]

From JewFAQ: http://www.jewfaq.org/tzedakah.htm

The Meaning of the Word "Tzedakah"

"Tzedakah" is the Hebrew word for the acts that we call "charity" in English: giving aid, assistance and money to the poor and needy or to other worthy causes. However, the nature of tzedakah is very different from the idea of charity. The word "charity" suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and powerful for the benefit of the poor and needy. The word "tzedakah" is derived from the Hebrew root Tzadei-Dalet-Qof, meaning righteousness, justice or fairness. In Judaism, giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act; it is simply an act of justice and righteousness, the performance of a duty, giving the poor their due.

The Obligation of Tzedakah

Giving to the poor is an obligation in Judaism, a duty that cannot be forsaken even by those who are themselves in need. Some sages have said that tzedakah is the highest of all commandments, equal to all of them combined, and that a person who does not perform tzedakah is equivalent to an idol worshipper. This is probably hyperbole, but it illustrates the importance of tzedakah in Jewish thought. Tzedakah is one of the three acts that gain us forgiveness from our sins. The High Holiday liturgy repeatedly states that G-d has inscribed a judgment against all who have sinned, but teshuvah (repentance), tefilah (prayer) and tzedakah can alleviate the decree. See Days of Awe.

According to Jewish law, we are required to give one-tenth of our income to the poor. This is generally interpreted as one-tenth of our net income after payment of taxes. Taxes themselves do not fulfill our obligation to give tzedakah, even though a significant portion of tax revenues in America and many other countries are used to provide for the poor and needy. Those who are dependent on public assistance or living on the edge of subsistence may give less, but must still give to the extent they are able; however, no person should give so much that he would become a public burden.

The obligation to perform tzedakah can be fulfilled by giving money to the poor, to health care institutions, to synagogues or to educational institutions. It can also be fulfilled by supporting your children beyond the age when you are legally required to, or supporting your parents in their old age. The obligation includes giving to both Jews and gentiles; contrary to popular belief, Jews do not just "take care of our own." Quite the contrary, a study reported in the Jewish Journal indicated that Jewish "mega-donors" (who give more than $10 million a year to charity) found that only 6% of their mega-dollars went to specifically Jewish causes.

Judaism acknowledges that many people who ask for charity have no genuine need. In fact, the Talmud suggests that this is a good thing: if all people who asked for charity were in genuine need, we would be subject to punishment (from G-d) for refusing anyone who asked. The existence of frauds diminishes our liability for failing to give to all who ask, because we have some legitimate basis for doubting the beggar's sincerity. It is permissible to investigate the legitimacy of a charity before donating to it.

We have an obligation to avoid becoming in need of tzedakah. A person should take any work that is available, even if he thinks it is beneath his dignity, to avoid becoming a public charge.

However, if a person is truly in need and has no way to obtain money on his own he should not feel embarrassed to accept tzedakah. No person should feel too proud to take money from others. In fact, it is considered a transgression to refuse tzedakah. One source says that to make yourself suffer by refusing to accept tzedakah is equivalent to shedding your own blood.
Levels of Tzedakah

Certain kinds of tzedakah are considered more meritorious than others. The Talmud describes these different levels of tzedakah, and Rambam organized them into a list. The levels of charity, from the least meritorious to the most meritorious, are:

   1. Giving begrudgingly
   2. Giving less that you should, but giving it cheerfully.
   3. Giving after being asked
   4. Giving before being asked
   5. Giving when you do not know the recipient's identity, but the recipient knows your identity
   6. Giving when you know the recipient's identity, but the recipient doesn't know your identity
   7. Giving when neither party knows the other's identity
   8. Enabling the recipient to become self-reliant

[GoIsraelGo!]

 It is equally important to give to the needy in a way that they keep their dignity....for example if you give to a homeless person, you could say to them " Hey, I saw this 10 dollar bill fall out of your pocket "
so I am returning it to you.

My Grandmother had a beggar who came to her door once a week for food, and my Mother told me that her Mom would say to the beggar at the door " why I have been expecting you for lunch - what took so long! " My Grandmother fed the beggar and made him feel very welcome in her home.

This was one of the lessons my Grandfather taught his wife and 10 children....when doing zadaka or a mitzvah it's important to give them their dignity at the same time.

[Rubystars]

I think that you are misunderstanding the reasons for tzadeka... It is not only to help the poor person, but it is to help the giver more... A person who gives tzedaka, even to those who don't necessarily deserve it, are fufilling a mitzvah which rewards the giver even more than the receiver.

I think there's a danger there. If you give in order to get the reward, could it be considered selfish giving and not be counted as a mitzvah at all?

[angryChineseKahanist]

It is equally important to give to the needy in a way that they keep their dignity....for example if you give to a homeless person, you could say to them " Hey, I saw this 10 dollar bill fall out of your pocket "
so I am returning it to you.

My Grandmother had a beggar who came to her door once a week for food, and my Mother told me that her Mom would say to the beggar at the door " why I have been expecting you for lunch - what took so long! " My Grandmother fed the beggar and made him feel very welcome in her home.

This was one of the lessons my Grandfather taught his wife and 10 children....when doing zadaka or a mitzvah it's important to give them their dignity at the same time.

That's a good idea. Next time you see a drunken smelly [censored] in the streets, bring him in for dinner.
I'll be looking you up in the newspaper.
I take it your mother lived in a much different time where her streets were safer.

I've been poor all my life. I was born in a straw hut in China thanks to long-live-chairman-mao [or ten thousand years]. During my entire youth, I remember only hunger. This is true up until I was in my late 20s. In the Socialist States of America there is no reason to be homeless for long.
In New York, I'd say, if you can't make it here, its because you are a lazy bum.

[GoIsraelGo!]

Chinese Kahanist, you are correct in saying that those times were different. That much is true.

As for myself I have lived over half a Century and I make my judgments accordingly, anyone that assumes I would make such a stupid decision as to invite some drunk into my home just does not know me personally, or my ability to make wise decisions.

You assume the worst case senario based on what I said about giving them their dignity...
Being charitable & compassionate does not necessarily mean one is foolish.

[~Hanna~]

I would never be able to make it in New York with the price of housing there, so that makes me a lazy bum?

wow.

It is equally important to give to the needy in a way that they keep their dignity....for example if you give to a homeless person, you could say to them " Hey, I saw this 10 dollar bill fall out of your pocket "
so I am returning it to you.

My Grandmother had a beggar who came to her door once a week for food, and my Mother told me that her Mom would say to the beggar at the door " why I have been expecting you for lunch - what took so long! " My Grandmother fed the beggar and made him feel very welcome in her home.

This was one of the lessons my Grandfather taught his wife and 10 children....when doing zadaka or a mitzvah it's important to give them their dignity at the same time.

That's a good idea. Next time you see a drunken smelly schvartza in the streets, bring him in for dinner.
I'll be looking you up in the newspaper.
I take it your mother lived in a much different time where her streets were safer.

I've been poor all my life. I was born in a straw hut in China thanks to long-live-chairman-mao [or ten thousand years]. During my entire youth, I remember only hunger. This is true up until I was in my late 20s. In the Socialist States of America there is no reason to be homeless for long.
In New York, I'd say, if you can't make it here, its because you are a lazy bum.

[muman613]

Chinese Kahanist, you are correct in saying that those times were different. That much is true.

As for myself I have lived over half a Century and I make my judgments accordingly, anyone that assumes I would make such a stupid decision as to invite some drunk into my home just does not know me personally, or my ability to make wise decisions.

You assume the worst case senario based on what I said about giving them their dignity...
Being charitable & compassionate does not necessarily mean one is foolish.

You are right Dox, but some people are just unkind... They need to put people down to a lower level in order to feel good about themselves. This is a sign that they are not Jewish... Charity is so deeply entrenched in Jewish thought that a person who doesn't give to the poor is immediately assumed to be non-Jewish.

One doesn't have to look for undesirable people who are poor, there are many unfortunate souls in this world. And there is much work to do to bring them back to their higher state.

As I have said, I have helped homeless people get back on their feet... It is a wonderful feeling to know that I can help people like this...

[GoIsraelGo!]

Muman, that was kind of you to help the homeless back on their feet...may G-d take note of your mitzvah's.

P.S. Thank you for your kind words.



                                                    Shalom - Dox

[takebackourtemple]

   I have a different view on this issue. There are plenty of nicer places to live. Even if a metropolitan area is desired.
   If someone can't afford to live in New York(which most New Yorkers can't), the solution is to leave. Living in New York and complaining about not being able to pay the rent is like placing a hand in a blender and complaining about it being cut.

   People who can afford to live in New York should also leave, because their taxes are funding all sorts of socialist garbage. At least some states have no income tax. I wish Israel had no income tax. It's criminal that the traitors in parliament can tax good Israeli citizens 45% so the Muslim Nazis can have handouts.

   All Jews should go to Israel, but considering that many of us are in Gullus, New York is not the place to be. All the Kosher shops and stores should pack up and move somewhere else so people can't use them as a lame excuse to stay. This can only happen if the people get up and move first. Fortunately I don't live in New York, but I still have to take trips up there every once in a while. I really hate NYC.

I would never be able to make it in New York with the price of housing there, so that makes me a lazy bum?

wow.

It is equally important to give to the needy in a way that they keep their dignity....for example if you give to a homeless person, you could say to them " Hey, I saw this 10 dollar bill fall out of your pocket "
so I am returning it to you.

My Grandmother had a beggar who came to her door once a week for food, and my Mother told me that her Mom would say to the beggar at the door " why I have been expecting you for lunch - what took so long! " My Grandmother fed the beggar and made him feel very welcome in her home.

This was one of the lessons my Grandfather taught his wife and 10 children....when doing zadaka or a mitzvah it's important to give them their dignity at the same time.

That's a good idea. Next time you see a drunken smelly schvartza in the streets, bring him in for dinner.
I'll be looking you up in the newspaper.
I take it your mother lived in a much different time where her streets were safer.

I've been poor all my life. I was born in a straw hut in China thanks to long-live-chairman-mao [or ten thousand years]. During my entire youth, I remember only hunger. This is true up until I was in my late 20s. In the Socialist States of America there is no reason to be homeless for long.
In New York, I'd say, if you can't make it here, its because you are a lazy bum.

[takebackourtemple]

I almost never find a truely poor person in the streets.
Almost all of them are professional beggers.
Most of the people who are truely homeless are either in a shelter or are on the streets for not very long.
So it is best not to give to anyone on the streets.
If in doubt, why not just walk up to the person in question and ask him?

You hit the nail on the head here.

[GoIsraelGo!]

TakebackourTemple,

We all had good arguments about it and some of us had good points.
Main thing is you brought this important issue to light, so Thanks!



                                  Shalom - Dox 

[~Hanna~]

We are scum now?

My familly was always poor. No one helped. We were considered lower than scum.
What did we do? Work at drek jobs.

Hey all you nice sympathetic saviors out there! Wheres your symphaty for me!!!??? I was poor!
It just goes to show what a bunch of .... never mind I don't want to offend.

I notice how all the "nice" people out there are the most cruel and nasty.  Yeah, you better be nice or else I'll kill you! You're not nice, you're scum.

Where's my damn symphaty?

[GoIsraelGo!]

Angry Chinese Kahanist, if it is any consolation to you, there were times when we didn't have any food in our pantry. There were times when my parents were broke and we had to make do with whatever we had.

I remember going hungry at times. My parents were at work so out of desperation, I ate dry dog food from the garage because there was nothing to eat in the house.

You went through some hard times, many of us did.


Now my advise is this:
Don't allow the bitterness you feel to get in the way of you being charitable.
G-d is watching you....


                                           Shalom & may G-d Bless you

                                                           Dox