Articles (6)
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)
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.