Alms (Tzedakah) Box

Alms (Tzedakah) Box

The Hebrew word "tzedakah" derives from the biblical word "tzedek" meaning righteousness or justice. Helping those in need is not merely responding with sympathy or pity, but in Jewish tradition is a religious obligation.

Already established twenty centuries ago, each Jewish community created a fund for supporting the poor. The community leaders were in charge of the collection and distribution of tzedakah. In addition, many houses contained tzedakah boxes that supported both institutions and individuals. Coins were deposited by family members on the eve of every Sabbath. In addition, chanty boxes such as this have been used for centuries to collect coins anonymously throughout the syna¬gogue. In this way the monies could be distributed without either the giver or the recipient knowing the identity of the other.

 

 

 

Related Articles

More From Traditions

Shema

"Shema Yisrael, Adonai Elohenu, Adonai Echad." These wordsare the first words in every mezuzah.…
Shema
Mezuzah on the Doorpost

Mezuzah on the Doorpost

If you visit a Jewish home one thing that you may see is a mezuzah. A mezuzah is a small…
Mezuzah on the Doorpost

Jewish Wedding Rings

Even though we have modernized we still hold some sacred old traditions dear amongst the Jewish…
Jewish Wedding Rings

Torah Reading

The custom of reading from the Torah on Saturday mornings is so old that it is difficult to be…
Torah Reading

Shabbat Candles

One of the most well known Jewish customs connected with the observance of Shabbat (the…
Shabbat Candles

Tfillin

T'fillin, or phylacteries, are square black boxes traditionally worn on the head and arm.
Tfillin
Photo: Front of a Kosher Market on a Street Corner

Mixing Matters

"...You shall not boil a young goat in its mother's milk" (Deuteronomy 14:21). Many take this…
Mixing Matters
Candles

Candles

Candles are very special in Jewish tradition because they are said to represent the light from…
Candles

613 Mitzvot

The basic concept in Judaism relating to practice is the Mitzva, a commandment from HaShem.
613 Mitzvot

Haftarah

הפטרה (Haftarah), the name given to the reading from the Prophetic books which follows the…
Haftarah

Schlep

Apart from its definitive meaning and use, this schlep video is a parody of Uber and Lyft taxi…
Schlep

Publish the Menu module to "offcanvas" position. Here you can publish other modules as well.
Learn More.


donation