Thursday, 8 August 2019

What is Tzadakah?

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The question of the day: What is "tzadakah?"

Answer: This is the Hebrew word used prominently at the beginning of Matthew 6 in the TLV. Here are some of the translations of this word. It is charity, good deeds, acts of kindness, charitable acts, righteous deeds, alms, and give to the poor. The wooden box where we place our offerings at Shomair is called the "tzedakah" box.

A "tzadik" is a righteous person. The rabbis go so far as to define what they mean by that; "A person who has never had an impure thought is said to be a tzadik." The rabbi's believe there is at least one such person always alive on the earth. I believe there is only one such person who has ever lived, and we know His name, Yeshua HaMashiach.

He is the One who visited Abraham and Sarah, was present when Abraham bound Isaac, wrestled with Jacob. If you would like to read about all of His appearances in the Hebrew Scriptures, read Asher Intrater's book "Who Ate Lunch With Abraham" (also the title of the first chapter).

Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Yeshua, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

We, who follow Yeshua, are called to follow Him in His calling. As He is a "tzadik", so too, we are called to be "tzadikim".