Moral insights and comments about Tzedakah ("Charity") are found throughout the vast body of rabbinic literature. This book attempts to present a survey of the rabbinic sources concerning Tzedakah and to provide the reader with an analysis of the system of Tzedakah as created and understood by the Rabbis.

Contenu

Table of Contents (page 5) Abbreviations (page 7) Transliteration (page 9) A Brief Introduction to Rabbinic Literature (page 11) The Origins of Rabbinic Judaism (page 11) Foundational Texts of Classical Rabbinic Judaism (page 13)

Mishnah (page 14)
Talmud (page 23)
Midrash (page 33) Inner-Biblical Interpretation (page 34) Introduction to Tzedakah ("Charity") in Judaism (page 49) Chapter One: Theology of Tzedakah (page 55) Chapter Two: The Rabbinic View of Poverty and the Humiliation of Accepting Tzedakah (page 67) Chapter Three: The Rewards of Giving Tzedakah (page 79)
Eligibility to Obtain the Reward (page 79)
The Power of Tzedakah (page 81)
Reciprocity of Benefit Between the Donor and the Donee (page 83)
Benefits Obtained During One's Lifetime (page 85)
The Miracle Stories (page 87)
Benefits in the World to Come (page 93) Chapter Four: The Penalty of Not Giving Tzedakah (page 99) Chapter Five: The Role of Tzedakah in the Community (page 103) Chapter Six: The Urgency of Giving Tzedakah (page 109) Chapter Seven: Giving Tzedakah Discreetly and Indirectly (page 113) Chapter Eight: Rules Affecting the Donor of Tzedakah (page 119) Chapter Nine: Alms Collectors (page 125) Chapter Ten: The Priorities in Giving Tzedakah (page 131) Chapter Eleven: Vows and Tzedakah (page 139) Chapter Twelve: Motivation in Giving Tzedakah (page 147) Chapter Thirteen: Tzedakah in Relation to other Mitzvot (page 151) Chapter Fourteen: Tzedakah in Respect to Shabbat and Fast Days (page 157) Chapter Fifteen: Biblical Figures Performing Tzedakah (page 161) Chapter Sixteen: Restrictions upon the Donee and Receiving Tzedakah Fraudulently (page 167) Chapter Seventeen: Tzedakah and the Gentile Community (page 173) Conclusion (page 177) Rabbinic Authorities (page 179) Glossary (page 183) Bibliography (page 187)