For those that are unaware, tonight is the first night of Rosh HaShanah, or the Jewish New Year Festival. I enjoy learning about different cultures and what practices have served those groups, so when I saw Rosh HaShanah on my calendar, I was inspired to learn more about Jewish practices related to finance. There are many principles that Jewish individuals incorporate into their spiritual and secular lives, but the one that caught my eye was tzedakah.

Tzedakah (or Sedaqah) is the Jewish principle related to obligatory charity. This goes beyond general philanthropic efforts: the word “tzedakah” means “righteousness”, and so this type of giving is a moral and spiritual obligation. It is considered a cornerstone for obtaining spiritual favor, and it expected regardless of an adherent’s financial means.

While I’m not new to the concept of tithing, I found tzedakah to be interesting, because Jewish philosopher Maimonides expanded on this idea and determined that there were levels (eight, to be specific) to this sort of giving. Here are the eight levels of tzedakah according to Maimonides, in order from most favorable to least favorable:

• Giving an interest-free loan to a person in need; forming a partnership with a person in need; giving a grant to a person in need; finding a job for a person in need, so long as that loan, grant, partnership, or job results in the person no longer living by relying upon others.
• Giving tzedakah anonymously to an unknown recipient via a person or public fund that is trustworthy, wise, and can perform acts of tzedakah with your money in a most impeccable fashion.
• Giving tzedakah anonymously to a known recipient.
• Giving tzedakah publicly to an unknown recipient.
• Giving tzedakah before being asked.
• Giving adequately after being asked.
• Giving willingly, but inadequately.
• Giving “in sadness” (giving out of pity) or “giving unwillingly”.

The types of giving are ranked preferentially, because Maimonides recognized that giving with the right intention, coupled with the most positive, lasting impact, is always best. As we descend down the list, the generous actions become more ego-serving and have more short-term impacts. And, while the lower ranked types of giving are still “good”, there is a great chance of deeper satisfaction by participating in giving in the higher ranked ways.

I find this scale to be an excellent way to gauge our own generosity. While I love to talk about making money and spending it marvelously on ourselves and our dream lives, I also believe that generosity is part of spending well. Supporting the causes that are meaningful is good for us, and our generous actions are always returned to us in delightful and unexpected ways. I love that

Are you familiar with the concept of tzedakah? Have you considered how generosity shows up in your daily life? I’d love to hear your thoughts below!