Beth HaDerech; Messianic Jewish Congregation, Toronto, Canada

The Importance of Tithing / tzedakah

The Hebrew word "tzedakah" is commonly translated as "charity" or "tithe." But this is misleading. "Charity" implies that your heart motivates you to go beyond the call of duty. "Tzedakah," however, literally means "righteousness" -- doing the right thing. A "tzaddik," likewise, is a righteous person, someone who fulfills all his obligations, whether in the mood or not. When you have finished tithing all the tithes of your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give [them] to the Levite, the stranger, the orphan, and the widow, so that they can eat to satiety in your cities. [Devarim 26:12] The issue of giving a tithe is a very difficult one.  Many questions arise such as How much to give? How often?  Is it based on Net or Gross income? This is especially hard during these tough economic times when many are without work or struggling to live. As tough as things are, though, I would urge you not to cut back on your outlay for Shabbat. Because our sages assure us that what we pay to honor the Shabbat is not deducted from our divinely determined annual income. Under your present circumstances, there are a number of expenses that you are allowed to count as part of your ma'aser (ten percent designated for charity). Torah books can be paid for from ma'aser monies; if...