Jewish families have traditionally given tzedakah by putting coins in the tzedakah box ("pushka") in their homes on Friday evenings and holidays just before the candles are lit. In addition, in order to mark special occasions such as births, bnai/bnot mitzvah, and weddings, Jewish families donate money to appropriate tzedakot. Even on sad occasions when we pray for the recovery of someone seriously ill, or to honor the memory of someone who has died, it is a Jewish custom to contribute to tzedakah.

THE OBLIGATION TO GIVE TZEDAKAH

"Even a poor person who receives tzedakah must give from what he receives." Gittin 7b

"If a person sees that his resources are limited, let him use them for tzedakah - and so much the more if he has extensive resources." Gittin 7a

"he who causes others to give tzedakah is greater than the giver himself." Baba Batra 9a

Choose (at least) one.

1. Donate clothing to a worthy organization, agency or family. Which one did you choose and why?
   
   
2. Design and create a Tzedakah box. On Friday nights, before you light the candles, put money in it. When it is full, decide as a family to which charity(ies) you would like to contribute. Why did you choose this(these) particular charity(ies)?
   
   
3. Go out and buy some toys at the local toy store and bring them to a children's ward at a local hospital. Write about the experience.
   
   
4. Research Maimonidies' (Rambam's) "Eight Levels of Tzedakah". Explain in your own words how Rambam understood Tzedakah in its various forms.
   
   
5. Make up a packet of activities for a friend or classmate who is home, sick in bed. You can bring crossword puzzles, word jumbles, videos, magazines, books and so on. What was your friend's response? How did you feel?