HOW TZEDAKAH IS THE KEY TO TRANSFORMATION
The United States boasts a vibrant tradition of philanthropy that fuels social engagement and community transformation. It's not just billionaires and large foundations making an impact—over two-thirds of Americans report that they have donated at least a small amount to charity in the past year. How can even a trivial donation make a significant difference?
In Rambam’s Laws of Charity [10:1], he highlights the significance of the mitzvah of tzedakah—charity—throughout the generations and its role in bringing about the final Redemption:
We are obligated to be careful with regard to the mitzvah of charity to a greater extent than all other positive commandments, because charity is an identifying mark for a righteous person, a descendant of Avraham our patriarch, as the verse states: "I have known him, because he commands his children... to perform charity" [Bereishit 18:19]. The throne of Israel will not be established, nor will the true faith stand, except through charity, as it states: "You shall be established through righteousness" [Yeshayah 54:14]. And Israel will be redeemed solely through charity, as it states: "Zion will be redeemed through judgment, and those who return to her, through charity" [ibid. 1:27].
An All-Inclusive Power
There are many reasons why tzedakah (charity) is unique. In this mitzvah, Jews emulate Avraham, whose kindness embodied the Creator’s benevolence to His creations, and was hand-picked by G-d as the forefather of His chosen nation. The foundation of any strong society is acts of service, and various forms of altruism drive positive change all around.
While other mitzvot elevate or purify one particular part of the body, or one aspect of the world, tzedakah is an all-inclusive mitzvah. There are many different things we can do to earn money, and many different things we can spend money on. In other words, money represents the entire spectrum of human need, industry and endeavor.
When we give our money away to charity, it’s as if we are giving away our entire self—all the labor that went into earning the money, and all the things we could have bought with that money. Just by giving a single coin to charity, we lift up ourselves and the entire world with it.
Only this particular mitzvah is so spiritually potent that it can bring redemption to the world. What is the deeper significance of acts of giving that make it so transformative?
The Talmudic commentator Rabbi Shmuel Eidels, known as Maharsha, explains a statement in Tractate Baba Batra [10a], where Rabbi Yehudah teaches that tzedakah hastens the Redemption:
Rabbi Yehudah also said that tzedakah hastens the Redemption, as the verse states, “Keep what is right and do acts of charity, for soon my salvation will come and my righteousness will be revealed” [Yeshayah 56:1]. Through the tzedakah that they do, they will merit to have tzedakah done for them in a revealed way in the time of salvation. For the tzedakah that Hashem does for us now in exile is in hidden form.
Be G-d-like
For an act of such cosmic importance as tzedakah, it is a surprisingly easy and accessible mitzvah. Anybody can do it. Any amount, large or small, will do. It doesn’t require any special preparation, study, or expertise. Place your hand in your pocket, take out a coin and give (or use a convenient charity app).
In a society where people do not have the wherewithal, time, or serenity to accomplish great spiritual feats or depth in Divine understanding, tzedakah is a defining mitzvah; simple giving is something everyone can do.
This same simplicity is the genius and special advantage of this generation. Connecting to G-d through sharing and giving is the most powerful connection there is.
Beyond that, in the Maharsha’s view, giving tzedakah does not just imitate G-d’s benevolence; it reflects it back to Him. Every act of kindness acts as a mirror, capturing and amplifying G-d’s gifts to the world. Giving tzedakah, more than any other mitzvah, affords humanity the opportunity to be just like G-d.
Because G-d didn’t have to create a world. He created it because He wanted to share Himself, and that’s why He gives unconditionally, whether people deserve it or not. The best way to approach G-d, come close to Him, to become like Him, is through giving a humble coin to tzedakah.
This is why tzedakah is the key to unlocking the Redemption. The era of Moshiach will be a time when Hashem’s kindness, abundance and generosity will be obvious for all the world to see. Giving tzedakah sets that process in motion.
- Charity brings Redemption to the world because it unveils G-d’s hidden kindness and generosity to humanity.
Giving tzedakah, more than any other mitzvah, affords humanity the opportunity to be just like G-d.
Dedicated for the speedy recovery of Rabbi Yosef Shlomo ben Risha
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SOURCES & FURTHER READING:
- Nesivot Olam by the Maharal, Nesiv Hatzedakah 4
- Tanya ch. 37
- Ahavat Dovid by the Chida, Drush 10
- Igeret Hakodesh ch. 9, 17
