Charity in Rabbinic Judaism

<p>Studying the many ideas about how giving charity atones for sin and other rewards in late antique rabbinic literature this volume contains many varied and even conflicting ideas as the multiplicity must be recognized and allowed expression. </p><p></p><p>Topics include the significance of the rabbis’ use of the biblical word tzedaqah as charity the coexistence of the idea that God is the ultimate recipient of tzedaqah along with rabbinic ambivalence about that idea redemptive almsgiving and the reward for charity of retention or increase in wealth. Rabbinic literature’s preference for teshuvah (repentance) over tzedeqah to atone for sin is also closely examined. Throughout close attention is paid to chronological differences in these ideas and to differences between the rabbinic compilations of the land of Israel and the Babylonian Talmud. The book extensively analyzes the various ways the Babylonian Talmud especially tends to put limits on the divine element in charity while privileging its human this-worldly dimensions. This tendency also characterizes the Babylonian Talmud’s treatment of other topics. The book briefly surveys some post-Talmudic developments.</p><p></p><p>As the study fills a gap in existing scholarship on charity and the rabbis it is an invaluable resource for scholars and clergy interested in charity within comparative religion history and religion. </p>