Dezyne

In the Spring of 2008 i set myself on a spiritual journey. In that search i ventured to a number of beliefs and ended up picking up a college course on world religions. This exposed me to the virtues and principles that blew my mind and sparked a change within me. I read the 8 Laws of giving “The Tzedakah” by Maimonides and this is definately worth sharing with you. Feel free to comment on the post and share with friends. Peace

MAIMONIDES 8 LAWS OF GIVING

1. The highest degree, exceeded by none, is that of a person who assists a poor Jew by providing him with a gift or a loan or by accepting him into a business partnership or by helping him find employment — in a word, by putting him where he can dispense with other people’s aid.
2. A step below this stands the one who gives alms to the needy in such a manner that the giver knows not to whom he gives and the recipient knows not from whom it is that he takes.
3. One step lower is that in which the giver knows to whom he gives but the poor person knows not from whom he receives.
4. A step lower is that in which the poor person knows from whom he is taking but the giver knows not to whom he is giving.
5. The next degree lower is that of him who, with his own hand, bestows a gift before the poor person asks.
6. The next degree lower is that of him who gives only after the poor person asks.
7. The next degree lower is that of him who gives less than is fitting but gives with a gracious mien.
8. The next degree is that of him who gives morosely.

Moses Maimonides (1135-1204) was also known as Rabbi Moses ben Maimon or the Rambam. One of the greatest Torah scholars of all time, he was a rabbi, physician, and philosopher in Spain, Morocco, and Egypt during the Middle Ages. He was the preeminent medieval Jewish philosopher whose ideas also influenced the non-Jewish world.

Credits: www.Mainehumanities.org