Charity

Banking has always been a Jewish profession, and in truth, every Jew is a banker. I may have money in my pocket, but it was merely deposited with me . . .

Question: I am troubled by the fund raising that goes on this time of year in the Jewish world. I always imagined that these "Days of Awe" between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are days for soul searching and spiritual yearning. It all seems soiled by the c...

Says the Talmud, Rabbi Eleazar used to give a coin to a poor man and immediately begin to pray.

Question: Should one who is blessed with vast wealth spend it on luxuries? Is a wealthy person expected to live with restraint, or is it okay for him to spend his hard-earned money on living a lifestyle beyond that which an ordinary person can afford? How...

Question: I would really like to send a check to help the people suffering after the earthquake in Haiti. But some of my friends say how could I do that? They say, look there are children going to sleep hungry in Israel. There are families from Gush Katif...

We spend so much money, time and energy on synagogues, Jewish schools religious institutions. Wouldn't it be better if we applied all those resources to alleviating all the suffering in our world?

Question: If you work for a Jewish agency, and are helping a client get back on his feet, does Jewish law dictate that you help the person just get back on his feet, or do you have to do it to the level that he was (financially or support) accustomed to b...

Does it still count as charity? How can one ever be sure that the money goes to the right cause?

Question: Dear Rabbi, Recently, at our shul, a homeless man named Joe,No, that’s not his real name. The question has also been abbreviated. who has been attending every week, was asked by the rabbi not to enter the building anymore. The reason was that Jo...

The mezuzah on our front door seems to act as a beacon that draws charity-seeking individuals to our door at all hours of the evening and night. Frankly, we are considering removing it!