The magnanimity of giving. The 8 Levels & MORE. The only way to get, is to GIVE.
Rabbi Shlomo Ezagui
Author - Lecturer - A Spiritual Soul Book & Maimonides Advice for the 21st Century. Chabad Palm Beach Fl. HQ
Knowledge is Power -- G-dly Knowledge & ACTION is Super Power.
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The following are the words of the great physician, philosopher, and codifier of Jewish Law, Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon – HaRambam 1138-1204, on the magnitude of giving Charity - Tzedakah.
1, We are obligated to be careful with regard to the mitzvah of charity to a greater extent than all [other] positive commandments, because charity is an identifying mark for a righteous person, a descendant of Abraham, our patriarch, as [Genesis 18:19] states: "…… The throne of Israel will not be established, nor will the true faith stand except through charity, as [Isaiah 54:14] states: "….. " And Israel will be redeemed solely through charity, as [ibid. 1:27] states: "Zion will be redeemed through judgment and those who return to her through charity."
2, A person will never become impoverished from giving charity. No harm nor damage will ever be caused because of charity, as [ibid. 32:17] states: "And the deed of charity is peace." Everyone who is merciful evokes mercy from others, ………..Whenever a person is cruel and does not show mercy, his lineage is suspect………… as [Jeremiah] 3:42] states: "They are cruel and will not show mercy."
The entire Jewish people and all those who attach themselves to them are as brothers, as [Deuteronomy 14:1] states: "You are children unto God your Lord." And if a brother will not show mercy to a brother, who will show mercy to them? ……………..
3, Anyone who turns his eyes away from [giving] charity is described as being "rebellious" like someone who worships false divinities ………. And with regard to a person who turns his eyes away from [giving] charity, [ibid. 15:9] states: "Be careful, lest a rebellious thought arise in your heart." Such a person is also called "wicked," as [Proverbs 12:10] states: ………….
4, Whenever a person gives charity to a poor person with an unpleasant countenance and with his face buried in the earth, he loses and destroys his merit even if he gives him 1000 gold pieces. Instead, he should give him with a pleasant countenance and with happiness, commiserating with him about his troubles, as [Job 30:25] states: "……….
5, If a poor person asks one for a donation and he has nothing to give him, he should conciliate him with words. It is forbidden to scold a poor person or to raise one's voice against him while shouting, because his heart is broken and crushed, and [Psalms 51:19] states: "God will not scorn a broken and crushed heart." ……….Woe unto he who shames the poor, woe be he! ……………………….
7, There are eight levels in charity, each level surpassing the other. The highest level beyond which there is none is a person who supports a Jew who has fallen into poverty [by] giving him a present or a loan, entering into partnership with him, or finding him work so that his hand will be fortified so that he will not have to ask others [for alms]. ……………. you should support him before he falls and becomes needy.
8, A lower [level] than this is one who gives charity to the poor without knowing to whom he gave and without the poor person knowing from whom he received. For this is an observance of the mitzvah for its sake alone. ………………………A level close to this is giving to a charity fund. A person should not give to a charity fund unless he knows that the person managing it is faithful, wise, and capable of administering it in a proper manner …………
9, A lower level than that is an instance when the giver knows to whom he is giving, but the poor person does not know from whom he received. An example of this were the great Sages who would go in secret and throw money into the doorways of the poor. ……………………….
10, A lower level than that is an instance when the poor person knows from whom he took, but the donor does not know to whom he gave. …………………
11, A lower level than that is giving [the poor person] in his hand before he asks.
12, A lower level than that is giving him after he asks
13, A lower level than this is giving him less than what is appropriate, but with a pleasant countenance.
14, A lower level than that is giving him with sadness.
15, Great sages would give a p'rutah (small coin) to a poor person before every prayer service and then they would pray, as [implied by Psalms 17:15]:
19, Any person who does not need to take [charity] and deceives the people and takes will not reach old age and die until he requires assistance from people at large. ………….
[Conversely,] anyone who needs to take [charity] and cannot exist unless he takes, ………. but is proud and does not take is considered as a murderer. He is liable for his soul and all that he has earned through his hardship is sin and guilt.
But anyone who needs to take [charity], but causes himself affliction and temporarily constrains himself and lives a life of difficulty so that he will not overburden the community will not reach old age and die before he provides sustenance for others from his own means. Concerning such a person and those like him, it is stated [ibid.:7]: Blessed be a person who trusts in God."
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7 年This is so important. Shabbat Shalom. See you next week.