Giving to Others (Tzedakah) (Private-Religious)
What is a citizen's responsibility to participate in civil society?
Photo Credit: Black History Month Program 2012 by Los Angeles District CC by 2.0
Students explore the idea of giving to others through Biblical laws, stories, modern biographies, and Rabbinical interpretations. They participate in group discussions and creative activities that foster an appreciation for giving charity and the rewards derived from it.
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.
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.
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.