The purpose of this lesson is to teach learners how to give charity, to whom one should give charity, and to what extent/amount of charity is to be given. The lesson follows the examples and teachings of Maimonides (the Rambam) as well as interpretations and extensions of ancient Biblical laws.

This lesson will familiarize the learners with basic laws of charity (tzedakah) in Biblical literature.  Through laws and stories, students will begin to understand the level of importance that the Bible places on acts of charity (tzedakah), specifically as it relates to farming and giving to the poor. 

This lesson will teach Maimonides’ (Rambam’s) Eight Levels of Charity as quoted in the Mishneh Torah, his book of Jewish laws and concepts. The learner will understand the Eight Levels of Charity, the reasons behind the hierarchy, and how these levels apply to today’s world.

The learners will review the tolerance skills/characteristics necessary to discern and promote tolerance. They will also identify situations that call for tolerance in their daily lives.

Learners will examine the ethical foundations of tolerance from the Torah and understand what it means in both the religious and social context.

Learners will define the term tolerance and examine their reactions to given social situations that call for tolerance.

Having gained an understanding of the need for the world to be fixed, the learners will now identify specific social problems and create projects and programs to help fix them.