“Whoever practices charity and justice fills the world with loving kindness.”

This week, I’m reading quotes from Sukkah 49b about tzedakah.

Reflection questions:

• How are we giving donors that vision of repairing the world through their gifts?
• What are ways that we can practice tzedakah with donors?  That is, practicing justice, peace, and loving kindness with donors instead of just receiving donations from donors?

Reflection on the quote:

This week, I’ve been reading about tzedakah, the Jewish tradition of charity.  However, it’s meaning is so much broader than the traditional idea of giving a donation.  Within its meaning are also the concepts of justice and righteous behavior.  In the article I was reading, the author stated that it’s the way in which we repair world.  In addition, instead of giving charity to someone - the emphasis on to someone, it must be done with someone.  The emphasis is on with, meaning to come alongside, to journey with someone when giving a gift to them. 

In our work, we accept tzedakah, that is, the generosity of others.  And, through our work, we are partnering with these donors to repair the world and bring about justice and care for both the poor and the rich.  In doing so, we are filling the world with lovingkindness, peace, and confidence that the arc of history bends towards justice as Martin Luther King Jr. stated.

This work has entered the public domain.

What do you think?

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Music credit: Woeisuhmebop