IN JEWISH TRADITION, tzedakah is an act of righteousness that comes from our duty to help others in need. It is sometimes understood as "charity," but the root word means justice or fairness rather than philanthropy or generosity. Tzedakah means "doing the right thing" by demonstrating tzedek (justice, fairness) in your life. The Scriptures command: Tzedek, tzedek tirdof: "justice, justice you shall pursue" (Deut. 16:20), and therefore helping others in need is a divine imperative.
|