Jewish Texts Relating to Tzedakah

Name:______________________________       Date:__________________

Part One:

Read the following texts with your partner.  Then, answer the questions.

1. For the poor will never cease out of the land; therefore I command you, saying: 'You shall surely open your hand to your brother, your poor, and to your destitute in your land.'
   Deuteronomy 15:11
   
   
   *Destitute means REALLY poor!
   
   
   
2. Justice, justice you shall pursue.
    Deuteronomy 16:20
   
   
   
   *The Hebrew word for justice is tzedek.  It looks and sounds very similar to the Hebrew word tzedakah so we know justice and charity are closely connected.
   
   
   
   
3. Tzedakah saves from death.
    Mishlei 10:2
   
   
   
4.  The more tzedakah, the more peace.
    Pirkei Avot 2:8

Part Two:
After reading the texts with your partner, answer the following questions.

1. What is tzedakah?
   
   
   
2. According to these texts, is tzedakah important?
   
   
   
   
3. Why do you think so?
   
   
   
   
   
4. List five things you would give to someone who is destitute.

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