Shulchan Arukh Yoreh De'ah · Siman 247

Shulchan Arukh Yoreh De'ah 247 — English translation

Translation: Section on Charity, trans. Louis Feinberg. N.Y. School of Philanthropy, 1915. Section numbers match the Hebrew text above.

1. 1It is a positive Biblical command to give Charity according to one's means. There are numerous positive commands as to Charity; and also a negative command not to close one's eyes to charity, for it is written, "Thou shalt not harden thy heart nor shut thy hand [from thy poor brother]." And he who closes his eyes to it is called "wicked" and is regarded as if he worships idols. One should take great heed in giving alms that he be not the cause of bloodshed, for the poor man in need may die before help reaches him if it is not offered quickly, as in the story of Nahum of Gimzo.
2. 2No man is ever impoverished from giving alms, nor is evil or harm ever caused by it; as it is written, "And the work of righteousness shall be peace."
3. 3Whosoever has compassion on the poor, the Holy One, blessed be He, has compassion on him. RMI. —Let man realize that he himself is forever seeking sustenance at the hand of God, and just as God answers his prayer, so should he answer the prayer of the poor. Let him also realize that the world is a revolving sphere, and that eventually he or his son or his grandson may be reduced to such circumstances.
4. 4Charity prevents threatened punishment from Heaven, and in famine it delivereth from death, as in the story of the widow of Zarephath.

License: Public Domain