J5 - social action

Question 1

define tzedaka

Answer 1

-Hebrew word for charity, means justice

Question 2

why is tzedaka done

Answer 2

-the thought that helping people is the right thing to do, not something extra
-teaches jews significance of giving for one’s own redemption
-many jews do it before prayer
-helping = service/ money/ goods

Question 3

where is tzedaka shown as important

Answer 3

-In the Talmud, giving even a small coin may give the person Shekinah

Question 4

verses to show importance of Tzedaka

Answer 4

-“keep justice & practice, for My salvation is near to come, & My benevolence to be revealed “ - Prophet Isaiah
-“great is Tzedaka for it brings the redemption”- Isaiah12
-“rather you must open you hand & lend whatever is sufficient to meet the need” - Deuteronomy 15:8

Question 5

define Pushkes

Answer 5

-tzedaka boxes kept in Jewish homes for the family to accumulate money over time to donate

Question 6

why is there Pushkes

Answer 6

-tradition came from temple times where there were lishkat chashin in the temples
-fams can drop small change before each daily prayer or shabbat
-seen as a sign of a Jewish home
-recognition that they’re sharing what God gave them

Question 6

define Lishkat chashin

Answer 6

-chamber in temple for people to donate to the needy

Question 7

verse to show importance of Pushkes

Answer 7

“righteous exalts a nation; Sin is a reproach to any people” - Proverbs 14:35

Question 8

define Gemuilt Hasadim

Answer 8

-means bestowing kindness & written as gemuilt hesed in the Torah

Question 9

importance of Gemuilt Hasadim

Answer 9

-some believe a jew that does not show kindness is the same as an atheist
-kind actions are a way to manifest concern for other people & imitate kindness God has shown to them
-doing good deed than aiding financially/ materially

Question 10

how is gemuilt hasade different from tzedakas

Answer 10

tzedakas usually involve giving money
-gemuil hasade is giving one’s self/ doing good deed than aiding financially/ materially

Question 11

verses to show importance of gemuilt hasade

Answer 11

-‘You shall not bear a grudge against your countrymen. Love your fellow men as yourself - Leviticus 19:18
-“The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as one of your citizens, you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt” - Leviticus 19:34

Question 12

ways for gemuilt hasade

Answer 12

-BIkkur Holim
-Nichum Avelim
-Hakhnasatt Orchim
-Tikkun Olam
-Social welfare

Question 13

define BIkkur Holim & importance on gemuilt hasade

Answer 13

-a mitzvot about being there for the sick to tend to their spiritual needs
-relieves isolation & anguish
-traditional texts show how to do this in moderation

Question 13

define Nichum Avelim & importance on gemuilt hasade

Answer 13

-a mitzvot about comforting mourners & seeing the burial of the deceased
-mourners needs should be immediately provided for & help express their grief

Question 14

define Hakhnasatt Orchim & importance on gemuilt hasade

Answer 14

-providing hospitality to people travelling through their houses
-Rabbinic writings have laws & ethics on how to be a good host or guest

Question 15

define Tikkun Olam & importance on gemuilt hasade

Answer 15

-idea that the world is broken & needs to be reparied to function as intended
-societal changes

Question 15

importance of social action in gemuilt hasade

Answer 15

-doing tzedaka
-tending to specific needs
eg, giving advice