Learn

Everything Tzedakah

Articles, parsha insights, Q&A, real stories, classic quotes, and podcasts — all in one place.

Articles

Filling the World with Kindness: Ben Yehoyada, Tishrei, and the Power of Tzedakah

Holidays & ShabbatDec 25, 2025

Filling the World with Kindness: Ben Yehoyada, Tishrei, and the Power of Tzedakah

The month of Tishrei, from Rosh Hashanah to Simchat Torah, weaves together judgment, joy, and divine compassion. Tzedakah lies at the heart of this season, transforming judgment into kindness and filling the world with chesed. As the Ben Yehoyada explains, giving with justice and intention sweetens divine decrees and connects us to an everlasting chain of G-d’s kindness. Acts of tzedakah during Tishrei—whether through charity, hospitality, or thoughtful generosity—are not just moral obligations but metaphysical forces that uplift individuals, families, and the world itself.

Read article →

Tevet, the Siege of Jerusalem, and a Proactive Approach to Transform Darkness

Holidays & ShabbatDec 25, 2025

Tevet, the Siege of Jerusalem, and a Proactive Approach to Transform Darkness

The month of Tevet is marked by darkness, cold, and historical tragedy, yet Jewish tradition teaches that tzedakah can bring light even in the hardest times. Through acts of charity and kindness, we counter sorrow with hope, sustain our communities, and invite Divine presence into the world. Giving during Tevet transforms a season of mourning into an opportunity for healing, compassion, and spiritual renewal.

Read article →

The Hidden Gift: Preserving Dignity in an Age of Modern Giving

Modern GivingDec 24, 2025

The Hidden Gift: Preserving Dignity in an Age of Modern Giving

In today’s world of instant, digital giving, the highest form of tzedakah remains preserving the dignity of the recipient. Torah and Talmudic teachings emphasize thoughtful, discreet giving—whether through secret gifts, intermediaries, or service-oriented support. By prioritizing intention, privacy, and individual needs, every act of charity becomes a hidden gift, honoring both the recipient and the giver while transforming simple generosity into a profound mitzvah.

Read article →

Opening Your Hand Today: Ancient Mandates for a Modern Tzedakah World

Modern GivingDec 24, 2025

Opening Your Hand Today: Ancient Mandates for a Modern Tzedakah World

Tzedakah remains one of the most timeless mitzvot, guiding us to open our hearts and support others with compassion and foresight. From preventing hardship before it occurs to addressing individual needs with sensitivity, the Torah’s ancient mandates fit seamlessly into today’s digital world. Modern tools—automated donations, online campaigns, and targeted support—allow us to give consistently, thoughtfully, and with dignity, fulfilling the mitzvah of tzedakah in both spirit and action.

Read article →

How Tzedakah Can Heal Relationships: Insights from Yaakov & Esav

Torah SourcesDec 24, 2025

How Tzedakah Can Heal Relationships: Insights from Yaakov & Esav

Yaakov’s reunion with Esav in Parashat Vayishlach reveals the healing power of tzedakah. Through thoughtful giving, Yaakov softens Esav’s heart and turns years of tension into reconciliation. The story teaches that tzedakah is not only material support, but a powerful tool for restoring trust, repairing relationships, and bringing peace.

Read article →

The Ladder of Giving: Yaakov’s Vow in Parashat Vayetzei

ParshaDec 24, 2025

The Ladder of Giving: Yaakov’s Vow in Parashat Vayetzei

Yaakov’s vow at Beit-El—the Torah’s first personal pledge of giving—turns wealth into sacred trust, teaching that tzedakah is partnership with God.

Read article →

Yitzchak’s Wells in Parshat Toldot—The Power of Tzedakah

ParshaDec 24, 2025

Yitzchak’s Wells in Parshat Toldot—The Power of Tzedakah

Yitzchak’s wells in Parashat Toldot are more than sources of water—they are a model of tzedakah and shared blessing. By reopening old wells and digging new ones, Yitzchak teaches that sustenance, both material and spiritual, is meant to flow outward to sustain a community. True blessing comes when we create “room” for others to thrive.

Read article →

Avraham’s Purchase of the Cave of Machpelah: The Foundation of Honest Tzedakah

Torah SourcesDec 24, 2025

Avraham’s Purchase of the Cave of Machpelah: The Foundation of Honest Tzedakah

Avraham’s purchase of the Cave of Machpelah is more than a burial story—it is a lesson in honest tzedakah. By insisting on paying full price with transparency, Avraham teaches that true righteousness begins with integrity. Tzedakah is not only about giving, but about fairness and honesty in all we do.

Read article →

Avraham’s Famous Hospitality in Parshat Vayeira: The Blueprint for Jewish Giving

ParshaDec 4, 2025

Avraham’s Famous Hospitality in Parshat Vayeira: The Blueprint for Jewish Giving

In Parshat Vayeira, one of the most vivid displays of human compassion in the Torah unfolds: Avraham’s famous hospitality to three unexpected visitors. The Torah describes:

Read article →

Lech Lecha — Avraham’s Journey and the Birth of Jewish Generosity

ParshaDec 4, 2025

Lech Lecha — Avraham’s Journey and the Birth of Jewish Generosity

When Hashem calls to Avram (soon to be renamed Avraham) in Parashat Lech Lecha, the Torah begins not just the story of the Jewish people, but the story of Jewish generosity. Before there are commandments or rituals, there is a simple yet radical act: a person leaves the familiar and steps into the unknown, trusting that life’s purpose lies not in holding on, but in giving outward.

Read article →

The World Is Built Through Kindness — Olam Chesed Yibaneh

Torah SourcesDec 4, 2025

The World Is Built Through Kindness — Olam Chesed Yibaneh

When the Torah describes the world in the days of Noach, it paints a dark picture: “The earth became corrupt before G-d; the earth was filled with lawlessness.” (Bereishis 6:11)

Read article →

Tzelem Elokim and Tzedakah in Parashat Bereishit

ParshaDec 4, 2025

Tzelem Elokim and Tzedakah in Parashat Bereishit

At the very beginning of the Torah, before there were commandments, covenants, or chosen nations, we encounter a simple yet profound declaration about what it means to be a human:

Read article →

The Tanya on Charity in Times of Hardship

Torah SourcesOct 16, 2025

The Tanya on Charity in Times of Hardship

In one of the most moving letters of the Iggeret HaKodesh, Chapter 16, the Baal HaTanya speaks to a community struggling with poverty. His words are not merely historical counsel but an eternal call, addressing the tension we all feel between limited means and unlimited responsibility. Even during times of hardship, he insists, the obligation to give tzedakah—charity—does not disappear. Rather, this act of compassion deepens.

Read article →

When and How Charity Can Be Reallocated According to the Talmud

Torah SourcesSep 2, 2025

When and How Charity Can Be Reallocated According to the Talmud

Money given to tzedakah carries with it both holiness and responsibility. It is pledged to the poor, to Torah, to communal needs—and yet, in the sugya of Arakhin 6a–6b, the Gemara explores whether charity can be reallocated, borrowed, or even replaced, or if such funds are absolutely fixed for their designated use. The discussion is both technical and deeply philosophical, touching on the nature of vows, ownership, and the sacred trust of giving.

Read article →

Tzedakah: The Transformative Power of Charity in Jewish Tradition

What is TzedakahSep 2, 2025

Tzedakah: The Transformative Power of Charity in Jewish Tradition

In Jewish tradition, tzedakah—often translated simply as charity—is far more than a generous act of giving; it is an essential expression of righteousness that elevates both the giver and the recipient, and strengthens the fabric of the entire community. This timeless concept, rooted deeply in sacred texts, demonstrates the transformative power of charity, teaching us that righteousness is foundational to individual and national well-being.

Read article →

Tzedakah’s Mystical Power in the Tanya: The Cosmic Chainmail

Torah SourcesSep 2, 2025

Tzedakah’s Mystical Power in the Tanya: The Cosmic Chainmail

In the teachings of the Baal Hatanya, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, tzedakah (charity) isn’t just about giving money; it’s presented within a unique and intricate mystical framework in Part IV (Chapter 3) of the Tanya, called Igeret HaKodesh. This chapter dives deep into the spiritual workings and cosmic effects of giving, showing tzedakah as a powerful action that truly impacts both the spiritual and physical worlds creating a protective barrier like a cosmic chainmail suit or armor. The Baal Hatanya starts by referencing a pasuk and its commentary, then carefully reveals the inner dimensions of this crucial commandment and the vast scope of Tzedakah’s mystical power.

Read article →

Tzedakah for Newlyweds: Setting Up Your Giving Plan

Modern GivingSep 1, 2025

Tzedakah for Newlyweds: Setting Up Your Giving Plan

Building a Jewish home is about more than sharing a kitchen or making joint decisions—it’s about shaping a shared vision for life. For newlyweds, few values lay the foundation for that vision like tzedakah, charitable giving grounded in justice. As partners begin this sacred journey, developing a giving plan can root their relationship in compassion, purpose, and responsibility.

Read article →

Stories, Tips, and Inspiration to Maximize your Elul with Tzedakah

Holidays & ShabbatSep 1, 2025

Stories, Tips, and Inspiration to Maximize your Elul with Tzedakah

As we enter the month of Elul, the days draw closer to Rosh Hashanah, and the sound of the shofar begins to stir something deep within us — a spiritual restlessness, a longing to return, a desire to reconnect.

Read article →

3 Lessons on Proper Tzedakah Giving: The Story of Nakdimon ben Gurion

Torah SourcesSep 1, 2025

3 Lessons on Proper Tzedakah Giving: The Story of Nakdimon ben Gurion

In the tapestry of Jewish thought, tzedakah is not only a legal obligation—it is a mirror of the human soul. Through giving, we reflect divine mercy, uphold human dignity, and participate in the unfolding of redemption. But what happens when giving dries up—when generosity meets skepticism, or when wealth disappears overnight?

Read article →

The Eight Levels of Tzedakah, black and white picture of the Rambam

Torah SourcesAug 27, 2025

The Eight Levels of Tzedakah — Guide to Giving with Compassion

Rambam, also known as Maimonides (Rabbi Moses ben Maimon), outlined eight distinct levels of giving Tzedakah in his work, the Mishneh Torah (Laws of Charity, 10:7–14). As not all Tzedakah is equal, the levels are ranked in descending order of merit, from the most virtuous act to the least commendable, though still considered an act of giving.

Read article →

The Four Types of Charity Givers — From Self-Interest to Selflessness

Holidays & ShabbatAug 10, 2025

The Four Types of Charity Givers — From Self-Interest to Selflessness

In Pirkei Avot 5:13, the Mishnah categorizes four types of charity givers when it comes to tzedakah—charity. While the classification appears straightforward at first glance, the Maharal of Prague, in his ethical commentary Derekh Chayyim (Derakh Chayyim 5:13), offers a profound and nuanced exploration of these four archetypes. By drawing from Talmudic sources and deep philosophical reasoning, the Maharal transforms a simple teaching into a lens through which we examine human nature, values, and the path to moral refinement.

Read article →

Tzedakah Stronger Than Death: Rabbi Yehuda on the Power of Giving

Torah SourcesAug 7, 2025

Tzedakah Stronger Than Death: Rabbi Yehuda on the Power of Giving

We usually think of strength in terms of how durable an object is. The longer it lasts, the “stronger” it must be. But Rabbi Yehuda’s teaching in Bava Batra 10a challenges that assumption, concluding that charity is strongest as it saves from death. Instead of defining strength in purely physical terms, he creates a poetic chain of comparisons—each “strong” item is eventually overcome by something else. Mountains are strong, but iron cleaves them. Iron is strong, but fire melts it. Fire is strong, but water extinguishes it. Water is strong, but clouds carry it. Let’s analyze the talmudic source.

Read article →

The City That Banned Tzedakah: Sodom’s Tragic Legacy

Torah SourcesAug 7, 2025

The City That Banned Tzedakah: Sodom’s Tragic Legacy

The Torah’s account of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Bereishit (Genesis) is among the most powerful narratives of divine justice due to the fact they were the first city that banned charity. In Bereishit 18:20, God informs Abraham: “The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave.”

Read article →

Elevate the Nine Days with Tzedakah: Easy Acts of Giving

Holidays & ShabbatAug 5, 2025

Elevate the Nine Days with Tzedakah: Easy Acts of Giving

Elevate the Nine Days by turning this traditional period of Jewish mourning into a time of meaningful action. As we approach Tisha B’Av, Jewish wisdom encourages us to transform sorrow into purpose through compassion and tzedakah. Giving isn’t just about charity — it’s about sacred generosity that honors dignity, justice, and healing. Whether through donating to trusted causes, supporting those in emotional or financial need, or sharing words of kindness, every act of giving helps elevate the Nine Days into something deeply redemptive and spiritually alive.

Read article →

Watch

See all videos →

Can You Be Too Rich According to the Torah?

Rav Rimon explains the Torah's approach to capitalism.

Q&A

The Order of Priority for Giving

The needy of your own family comes first. After which...

The Meaning of the Word Tzedakah

Tzedakah comes from the Hebrew word tzedek, which means...

The Highest Form of Tzedakah

The highest level of tzedakah is to help a person become self-sufficient by...

The Manner of Giving Tzedakah

With a smile and good heart. You should speak...

Determining How Much Tzedakah to Give

The ideal amount a person should give is...

Is Tzedakah a Daily Obligation

While not a formal daily obligation, it is a widespread and virtuous custom to...

Q&AJul 21, 2025

Can You Be Too Rich According to the Torah?

Search Browse by Topic: Parent Topic All Torah, Texts & Learning Holidays & Shabbat Life & Community Modern Giving Tzedakah Concepts Study &

Inspiring Clips

Ryan and Rachel (Levinson) Bailine

Orit & Seth Gribetz

Shira Mark

Claudette & Albert Savdie

Hadas Hershkovitz

Naomi Chaimov

Orly Bentarya

Reut & Mendel Pinson

Quotes & Wisdom

See all quotes →

“Great is tzedakah, for it brings the redemption nearer.”

— Talmud, Bava Batra 10a

“Happy Are Those Who Act Justly, Who Do Tzedakah At All Times.”

— Psalm 106:3

“Charity Will Save From Death.”

— Proverbs 10:2

“Charity Is Equivalent to All the Other Mitzvot Combine”

— Talmud, Bava Batra 9a.

Podcasts

See all episodes →

Podcast episodes are coming soon. We're curating interviews, shiurim, and conversations on Tzedakah you can listen to anywhere.

Get notified →