Charity comes from a word meaning “love.” Charity is a way of being kind and helpful to those less fortunate than ourselves. Tzedakah is a Hebrew word which comes from a root meaning “right” or “righteous.” While charity is given because it is a “nice thing to do,” Tzedakah is given because it is the “right thing to do.”

Here are some practical applications which clearly distinguish the Jewish concept of Tzedakah from the secular idea of Charity:

1. Tzedakah is a mitzvah, a commandment. One should give tzedakah out of a sense of obligation. Charity, on the other hand, is given only when one is moved to do so. Therefore, tzedakah should be given according to an organized plan, even every day, while charity will only be given on an occasional basis.

2. The purpose of charity is to help needy people. The goal of tzedakah is to give—to be less selfish—to show ourselves that we can live with less than we have. If I am unaware of any needy people, then I would not need to give charity, but I would still need to give tzedakah. Charity helps others; tzedakah helps make the giver a better person.

3. Charity is given by the “have’s” to the “have not’s.” Tzedakah is to be given by everyone in the Jewish community. Even the poorest among us is to give something.

I hope that these lessons, among others, are helpful in strengthening our own personal commitment to fulfilling the mitzvah of tzedakah. We should plan out how we wish to distribute our tzedakah dollars each year, not just wait until we are moved to be charitable. Parents, especially, must be ever mindful of teaching their children, from an early age, to give away a portion of their gifts or earnings, and parents must lead by their own example.

Our synagogue is usually the beneficiary of tzedakah. The very existence of Congregation B’nai Moshe is dependent on the generous commitment and contribution of our members. But just as the poorest of the community still is obligated to give to others, so too, our synagogue has the merit of being a participant in the mitzvah of tzedakah. Thanks to the donations which you make at each weekday morning service, we collect and distribute money to a number of worthy causes, including, but limited to the following:

1. Schools attended by Conservative Jews— Hillel Day School, the Frankel Jewish Academy, the Jewish Theological Seminary, and in Jerusalem—the Conservative Yeshiva and the Schechter Institute.

2. Hillel programs at all college campuses in Metro Detroit and throughout the State.

3. Local Jewish organizations, including: the Jewish Community Center, Jewish Community Relations Council, Yad Ezra, Hebrew Free Loan, Jewish Apartments and Services, Jewish Home and Aging Services, Stand With Us – Michigan.

4. The Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue.

5. The Dove Institute (formerly called, The Ecumenical Institute of Jewish and Christian Studies.

6. St. Paul AME Zion Church (site of the former home of B’nai Moshe on Dexter in Detroit).