Mitzvah —
250
To give charity
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פָּרָשַׁת רְאֵה
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כִּ֛י לֹא־יֶחְדַּ֥ל אֶבְי֖וֹן מִקֶּ֣רֶב הָאָ֑רֶץ עַל־כֵּ֞ן אָנֹכִ֤י מְצַוְּךָ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר פָּ֠תֹ֠חַ תִּפְתַּ֨ח אֶת־יָדְךָ֜ לְאָחִ֧יךָ לַעֲנִיֶּ֛ךָ וּלְאֶבְיֹנְךָ֖ בְּאַרְצֶֽךָ׃
Deuteronomy 15:11
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"For there will never cease to be needy within the land. Therefore, I command you, saying, you shall surely open your hand to your brother, to your poor one, and to your needy one in your land."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Charity – צְדָקָה
We are commanded to give charity (tzedakah) to the poor and needy, supporting them according to their needs and our ability.
This mitzvah commands the Jewish people to give tzedakah—charity rooted not in generosity alone but in justice and obligation. The Torah establishes care for the poor as a covenantal responsibility, ensuring that material blessing becomes a channel for kindness rather than self-indulgence. Through tzedakah, the Jew imitates the ways of Hashem, Who sustains all creation with mercy. Giving charity refines the soul, strengthens community, and affirms that wealth is entrusted to man as a means of serving Divine purpose.
Commentaries
Rambam
- Sefer HaMitzvos, Aseh 195
- Hilchos Matanos Aniyim 7:1:
Tzedakah is an affirmative obligation upon every Jew according to his ability. - One who withholds charity violates multiple prohibitions.
- Tzedakah is among the greatest mitzvos, sustaining life itself.
Sefer HaChinuch
- Mitzvah 479:
The root of the mitzvah is to instill compassion and uproot cruelty. - Wealth is given as a test—to see whether man mirrors Divine kindness.
Rashi
- On “פָּתֹחַ תִּפְתַּח אֶת יָדֶךָ” (Devarim 15:8):
The Torah doubles the language to teach giving repeatedly and generously. - One must not harden his heart against the needy.
Ramban
- Tzedakah preserves the moral fabric of society.
- Withholding charity invites Divine judgment, while generosity draws blessing.
Talmud
- Bava Basra 9a:
Tzedakah is equal to all other mitzvos combined. - Ketubos 68a:
One must maintain the dignity of the poor according to their former standard. - Shabbos 151b:
Whoever has mercy on others is shown mercy by Heaven.
Midrash & Chazal
- Vayikra Rabbah 34:
The poor do more for the giver than the giver does for the poor. - Sifrei:
Charity sustains the world.
Acharonim & Modern Torah Giants
- Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch
Tzedakah restores balance between wealth and morality. - Chafetz Chaim
Giving charity protects life and brings Divine compassion. - Netziv
Social responsibility is a pillar of covenantal life. - Rav Kook
Tzedakah reveals the inner unity of society and Divine love for humanity.
Chassidic & Mussar Classics
- Baal Shem Tov
Charity opens spiritual channels above. - Tanya (Iggeres HaKodesh)
Tzedakah draws Divine light into the physical world. - Sfas Emes
Giving purifies the self from ego. - Ramchal
Charity perfects both giver and recipient.
Contrast with Mitzvah 251 — Not to Withhold Charity
- Mitzvah 250: Positive obligation to give.
- Mitzvah 251: Prohibition against refusal.
- One builds compassion; the other prevents cruelty.
Parallel to Mitzvah 526 — Lending to the Poor
- Both sustain the needy.
- Lending preserves dignity; charity sustains immediacy.
- Together they form a system of economic compassion.
(Source: Chabad.org)
Applying this Mitzvah Today
Recognizing Wealth as a Divine Trust
- The mitzvah of tzedakah teaches that wealth is not absolute personal property but a deposit entrusted by Hashem. The Rambam explains that one is obligated to give according to his ability because material blessing is meant to sustain more than the individual. When a Jew gives tzedakah, he acknowledges that Hashem is the true Owner of all resources and that his prosperity carries a sacred responsibility toward others.
Preserving Human Dignity
- The Torah commands not only that one give, but that one give in a manner that preserves the honor of the recipient. Chazal teach that sustaining a poor person according to his former standard is an obligation, emphasizing dignity over mere survival (Ketubos 68a). Modern expressions of this include discreet giving, respectful assistance, and creating opportunities that empower rather than embarrass those in need.
Building Compassionate Communities
- Tzedakah transforms society from a collection of individuals into a covenantal community bound by mutual responsibility. The presence of structured charity funds, communal support systems, and private acts of generosity ensures that no member of the community is abandoned. This reflects the Torah’s vision of a society where material blessing circulates to sustain the entire people (Rav Hirsch).
Imitating Divine Kindness
- The mitzvah trains the Jew to emulate Hashem, Who sustains all creation with mercy. Just as the Creator provides for the needy, so must man reflect that compassion in his own conduct. Giving charity becomes an act of imitatio Dei—walking in the ways of Hashem and bringing Divine kindness into the world (Shabbos 133b; Rambam, Hilchos De’os 1:6).
Strengthening Emunah Through Giving
- Chazal teach that one who gives tzedakah will not become poor, for Hashem replenishes what is shared for His sake (Taanis 9a). By parting with one’s resources, a person internalizes the truth that livelihood comes from Divine blessing, not from hoarding wealth. Each act of charity thus becomes a declaration of trust in Hashem’s providence.
Refining the Soul and Uprooting Cruelty
- The Sefer HaChinuch explains that the primary effect of tzedakah is upon the giver. Regular acts of charity soften the heart, uproot selfishness, and cultivate compassion. In a world that often promotes self-interest, tzedakah trains the soul toward generosity, empathy, and spiritual refinement.
Restoring Moral Balance in Society
- Tzedakah corrects economic imbalance and prevents wealth from becoming a source of injustice. The Netziv explains that the Torah’s social structure depends on the circulation of resources, ensuring that prosperity does not remain concentrated among the few. Charity thus becomes a mechanism of justice, not merely kindness.
Transforming Material Wealth into Eternal Merit
- Physical possessions are temporary, but tzedakah converts them into eternal spiritual merit. Chazal teach that charity protects and saves from misfortune, and that the merit of tzedakah accompanies a person beyond this world (Mishlei 10:2; Bava Basra 10a). Through giving, the Jew elevates the material into the spiritual.
Creating a Culture of Responsibility
- When charity becomes a regular, structured part of life—through maaser, communal funds, and personal giving—it creates a culture where responsibility for others is assumed rather than optional. This reflects the Torah’s vision of a society built not on competition alone, but on mutual care and covenantal duty.
Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals
Faith – אֱמוּנָה
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 479) explains that giving tzedakah expresses belief that wealth is entrusted by Hashem. By sharing with the poor, a person demonstrates trust that blessing and sustenance ultimately come from the Creator, not from personal ownership or effort alone. Each act of charity becomes a declaration of emunah, affirming that livelihood flows from Divine Providence and that what is given in Hashem’s service is never truly lost.
Charity – צְדָקָה
- Rambam (Hilchos Matanos Aniyim 7:1) rules that tzedakah is a Torah obligation binding on every Jew, even the poor themselves. His system of eight levels of charity places the highest value on enabling independence, transforming charity from emotional generosity into structured justice. Tzedakah thus becomes a moral framework that ensures dignity, responsibility, and long-term stability within society.
Compassion – רַחֲמִים
- The Talmud (Ketubos 67b) teaches that the needy should be supported according to their dignity, even providing comforts they were accustomed to. This reflects a Torah vision of compassion that preserves the recipient’s honor and humanity. True mercy does not merely alleviate hunger but safeguards the person’s sense of self-worth and belonging.
Justice – צֶדֶק
- Rambam (Hilchos Matanos Aniyim 10:1) emphasizes that tzedakah is not an act of optional kindness but a matter of justice, as the poor possess a rightful share in the community’s resources. Wealth is distributed by Hashem with the expectation that it will circulate to sustain all. Through tzedakah, society reflects Divine fairness and restores balance where inequality exists.
Kindness – חֶסֶד
- Beyond obligation, tzedakah cultivates acts of lovingkindness. The Talmud (Bava Basra 9a) teaches that tzedakah and chesed together sustain the world, combining structured responsibility with heartfelt generosity. While justice ensures fairness, kindness adds warmth, empathy, and personal connection to acts of giving.
Community – קְהִלָּה
- Sefer HaChinuch explains that widespread giving creates a society bound by mutual responsibility. Tzedakah ensures that no one is abandoned or forgotten, transforming individuals into a covenantal community. The shared obligation to care for one another strengthens social cohesion and expresses the Torah’s vision of a unified people.
Gratitude – הוֹדָיָה
- Giving charity reminds a person that all possessions are gifts from Hashem. By sharing those gifts, the giver expresses gratitude and acknowledges that his prosperity is not self-generated but Divinely granted. Tzedakah thus becomes a form of thanksgiving, transforming material wealth into spiritual appreciation.
Humility – עֲנָוָה
- Rambam (Hilchos Matanos Aniyim 10:4) stresses that charity must be given with dignity, so the recipient is not shamed. This requirement cultivates humility in the giver, reminding him that wealth is not a personal achievement but a tool for serving Hashem and others. The act of giving gently erodes pride and fosters a more modest, compassionate character.
Bein Adam L’Chaveiro – בֵּין אָדָם לַחֲבֵרוֹ
- Tzedakah is one of the clearest expressions of obligations between people, embedding compassion and justice into everyday life. It refines character, prevents cruelty, and ensures that interpersonal relationships reflect the Torah’s moral vision. Through charity, society becomes a place where responsibility for others is assumed as a sacred duty rather than a voluntary act.
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