The Tzedaka (Charity) Tree

Hello my dawlinks!  It's your Yenta.  We've just come through the ten days of awe, better known as the "High Holy Days", Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippor, and soon we'll have Sukkot, better known as the harvest.  As always with history, there's a story and your Yenta will dress it up for you, so grab your blankets, a glass of something and perhaps a nosh (something to eat).

During the harvest time, a three-sided hut would be erected in the middle of the field with a thatched roof allowing the stars to be seen.  We must always notice the beauty surrounding us at all times and be thankful for what G-d has given us.  Meals are taken in this hut with the family.  The fruits and veggies are hung from the walls and ceiling and used for those meals, while the rest is shared and/or sold.  But there's a catch:  In each field, in a corner lay a mound of the harvest.  Why you may ask?  For those who were less fortunate that year, so they may also partake.  No one should go hungry, no one should lose their dignity for misfortune, no one should be left out when there's enough to go around.  This, my Liblings, is called tzedakah (charity).  But it's not tzedakah as you may think. 

When you give to charities these days, it's usually for the incurable diseases, the beaten and battered, the extreme cases of extreme harm to body, mind, money, environment … overall destruction.  Tzedakah, though it covers all that, is spiritual.  It's called a "mitzvah"… a good deed.

We give tzedakah to the less fortunate in clothing, money, food, shelter, toiletries, etc.  Giving of tzedakah to ourselves for better treatment of oneself is always a mitzvah.  Tzedakah goes to a friend in a hug, a card of "thinking of you", a shared meal, these things we call "favors" that come from the heart.  Tzedakah to a newborn toward a college fund (G-d willing he/she should go), a pet gets tzedakah… it's wide spread, no limits and always with love and open hearts.

You know of aseres-hadibres (The Ten Commandants), neyn (no)?  Did you know there are actually 613 dibraye (commandants)?  Doing a mitzvah every day is one of them, giving tzedakah is another.  So, for those of you playing along at home, that's a new tidbit for you. 

And here's another:  There is only one person known to have completed all 613 dibraye in his lifetime - thought to be an impossible oyftu (achievement) in this day.  Any guesses who that is?  I'll give you vunk (hint): He's the one that a huge religion is named for….  Need more shlisls (clues)?  He supposedly traveled to the Himalaya Mountains and no one heard from him for about 18 years.  Yeder (Anyone)?  A controversial figure in his time, King Herod didn't like him --- long hair .... spoke softly…. There were musicals written about him, books, movies… Kindeleh, at this point you MUST know who I'm kibitzing about; Jesus Christ.  No, I'm not saying the name in vain, I'm just saying the name. Moving on.

Tzedakah is charity, yes, but it's so much more.  When it's given it's taken as well.  I'll explain. The giver of tzedakah also receives by the feeling of goodness, happiness, caring and love.  It's almost addicting.  It is a aveyre (sin), however, to give until you have nothing left and are in need yourself. 

OK, ok, let me break this down for you a little further.  How about "pay it forward".  You've heard of this, neyn?  Think of that as tzedakah.  After all, that's exactly what it is. 

The funny thing about tzedakah is that as you do it, you feel better.  Better about yourself, within yourself.  The trick is not to expect it in return, however.  Never expect.  Give.  Give of yourself, lighten and enlighten your heart.  It couldn't hurt!

Your

Yenta

My nails today, Bubbelehs. I wanted to share the fun. Your Yenta gets tzedaka too!