|
|
עמוד:96
1 Many Jewish organizations help the poor . The word for charity in Hebrew is tzedakah • which comes from the word tzedek • meaning justice . Explain the connection between tzedakah and tzedek . 2 Some of the Jewish organizations only help Jews in need and others also help non-Jews . Why do you think some Jewish organizations feel it is important to help non-Jews as well ? Why do you think there are Jewish organizations that do not help non-Jews ? Helping the Poor and Tikun Olam What is an act of Tikun Olam ? According to Jewish tradition , Tikun Olam is any action that improves the world : such as fighting poverty , discrimination , racism , inequality and injustice . He ( Hillel the Elder ) would say : If I am not for myself , then who will be for me ? But if I am only for myself , then what am I ? And if not now , when ? ( Mishna , Ethics of the Fathers , 1 : 14 ) In other words : If I don’t take care of myself , who will ? If I only take care of myself , who am I ? And if I don’t act now , when will I act ?
|
|