Not All Tzedoka Is Created Equal - Rambam's 8 Levels Of Tzedoka
The Rambam writes (Matanos Aniyim
10:1) that we are obligated to be careful regarding the mitzva of
tzedoka more than all the Mitzvos Aseh because giving tzedoka is a sign
that you are from the righteous children of Avrohom Avinu. Among other
things he also adds that Bnei Yisroel will not be redeemed only in the
zechus of tzedoka.
To put you at ease when doing the difficult
task of parting with your precious money he says that a person never
became poor from giving tzedoka and was never harmed by it in any way.
Furthermore if you have Rachamanus on the need Hashem will have mercy
on you. We all know going through our often times difficult lives, how
much we can all use this mercy.
The Rambam says that not all
tzedoka is created equal. There is a hierarchy of 8 clearly defined
levels of tzedoka. The underlying principle of this hierarchy is to
save the person who sadly needs to rely on handouts from feeling
shame. The less shame he feels, the greater your reward.
So there is giving tzedoka and giving tzedoka. Since the hardest part
is parting with our money, once we have already decided to do that, we
may as well get, literally speaking, the most "bang for our buck".
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