Ethical Teachings of the Torah

Acquiring and Spending Wealth - part 6

Rabbi Akiva taught that loving your neighbor was a great principle of Torah, but Ben Azzai taught that the verse “these are the generations of Man”, was even greater. Both would agree that the world consists not only of vertical relationships between man and G-d but also of horizontal relationships between man and man. Mankind is thus a large family linked together by their Creator who provides for all. The wealth provided to us is primarily to satisfy the needs of the individual owner but also so that we can help to alleviate the suffering of the poor, the sick, the aged, and even the lazy. Such assistance does not flow merely from a sense of philanthropy or from a concept of mutual assistance, nor as a form of insurance that someday others will help us. Rather, it is in essence a form of our Divine worship, our Imitatio Dei, wherein we imitate G-d’s great loving kindness and mercy to the world, through our acts of righteousness extending the bounty which G-d gave us.

“Just as ‘G-d is kind and righteous, so man should be righteous, just as He is careful to look after all the creatures in His world, so too, should man be.’ At the beginning of the Torah it is written, ‘G-d made garments of skin for Adam and Chava’ (B’reishit 3:21), and at the end of the Torah it is written, ‘He [G-d] buried him [Moshe] in the valley of Moav’ (Devarim, 36:6)” (Sota 14a).

Rambam links the legal status of promises to charity to the gifts given to the Beit Hamikdash, in this way transforming charity into a form of religious worship. “If a person says, ‘whatever animal will be born shall be a gift to the Temple’ or ‘I shall give it to charity’, then even though the object does not yet exist, nevertheless, he is obligated to honor his vow” (Hilkhot Mechira 2:15-16). This is contrary to the general halakhic principle that one cannot transfer ownership of things that do not yet exist. Rambam continues to link the religious nature of tzedaka to the spirituality of the Temple worship when he insists on the quality and beauty required for both of them. “One’s gifts to a shul should make it more dignified and beautiful than one’s own house, when one feeds the hungry he must give them the best of the food which he serves at his own table and when he clothes the naked, it should with the finest of his clothes”.
Tzedaka and chesed are essential for Jewish sanctity and spirituality, both as individuals and as the Holy Nation. “There are three things on which the world stands: on Torah, on Avodat Hashem and on acts of loving kindness” (Avot 1:2); using and spending our money should be an implementation of all three. Such is the tenor of the following will that is an example of those written by Jews of all walks of life, throughout the ages and galuyot.

“Beware of oppressing others, whether by money or by words; neither hate them nor envy them. Do not set up wealth as your hope for that is the beginning of idolatry. Rather distribute your money according to G-d’s will. Let expenditure of your money be of less value to you that the utterances of your words. Do not set your eyes upon those who are richer than you but rather see to the welfare of those who are poorer. Rejoice in your lot, whether it is large or small. Every day, every week and every month give to charity whatever you can. When your income reaches a reasonable amount, set aside the tithe, thereby you will have something at hand, whether you would give to the rich or to the poor. Be zealous to always praise your Creator for everything that He gives to you and for satisfying you” (Testament of Rabennu Asher, the Rosh).

“If the poor man asks you for charity and you have nothing in your hand, at least comfort him with words. It is forbidden to rebuke the poor since his heart is broken and despondent. Rather as it is written, ‘revive the spirit of the lowly and enliven the heart of the oppressed” (Matnat Evyonim 10:1).

• Other Ethical Teachings of the Torah
• Today is the Birthday of the World, whether as Children or as Servants [2] by Dr. Meir Tamari
• Funding Social Costs - Taxation [2]
• THE CHALLENGE OF MONEY - Funding Social Costs - Taxation [1]