The Significance of Tzedaka


In the spring of 2024, Solu had the pleasure of working with 6 bat mitzvah aged students and immerse them in the world of tzedaka through the Solu Young Leaders Tzedaka Circle. Entering Jewish adulthood requires learning how to be a Jewish giver so the students had the opportunity to study halachic sources on tzedaka, debate how to allocate scarce resources fairly, and choose carefully where to donate $1000. In addition to the $1000 supplied by Solu, the students fundraised $200+.

This year the students chose to donate to a few incredible organizations, such as:

  • Smile for the Kids Israel - a grassroots initiative with a mission to bring happiness and comfort to families impacted by hardship due to illness, poverty, stress, family situations or ongoing conflicts.

  • Diaper Drive for Niles Township Food Pantry - delivered 16 cases of diapers to the Niles Township Food Pantry.

  • NATAL - an apolitical non-profit organization that offers psychological and emotional treatment and support to victims of trauma due to war and terror. 

Watch their presentation to find out how they reached their decisions.

 


The Children of Avraham

In one of the sources we studied, Rambam highlights the extraordinary importance of tzedaka:

Mishneh Torah, Matanot Aniyim 10:1

חַיָּבִין אָנוּ לְהִזָּהֵר בְּמִצְוַת צְדָקָה יוֹתֵר מִכָּל מִצְוֹת עֲשֵׂה. שֶׁהַצְּדָקָה סִימָן לַצַּדִּיק זֶרַע אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר

(בראשית יח:יט) "כִּי יְדַעְתִּיו לְמַעַן אֲשֶׁר יְצַוֶּה אֶת בָּנָיו לַעֲשׂוֹת צְדָקָה"

"We must be careful about the mitzvah of tzedakah to a greater extent than all other positive mitzvot -- because tzedakah is an identifying mark for a righteous person, the children of Avraham, our father, as it states: "For I know, that [Avraham] will instruct his children…to perform tzedakah."

Over several months, out student leaders devoted their time -- and money -- to understand the halachot and values of tzedaka. They learned how to be careful in performing this defining mitzvah. In doing so, they showed themselves to be true spiritual descendants of Avraham Avinu, ambassadors of his legacy of chesed. May they continue to give and grow as Jewish adults.

 

Yasher koach to Avital Segal, Rena Segall, Danit Stieber, Devora Weinberg, Rosie Parker-Rubin, Zelda Norby! Tizku l'mitzvot!