Charity: Difference between revisions
From Halachipedia
→Giving with a Negative Attitude
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==Prohibitions of Tzedaka== | ==Prohibitions of Tzedaka== | ||
===Giving with a Negative Attitude=== | ===Giving with a Negative Attitude=== | ||
#Giving tzedaka with a sour attitude that it is a loss to oneself is forbidden.<ref>Ramban (Shichachat Halavin n. 17) writes based on Devarim 15:10 that it is a biblical prohibition to give with the feeling that it is a loss, rather one should believe that it is a rewarded and beneficial activity. This is also the opinion of the Bahag (Lavin with Malkot n. 192) and Smak (Mitzvah 21). Gra 249:6 and Badei Hashulchan (Biurim 247 p. 1) quote this as well. However, Smag (Lavin 289) understands this prohibition of Devarim 15:10 to be referring to someone who gives with a stingy eye. Ahavat Tzedaka 1:3:2 explains that while for the Ramban the mitzvah depends on a person's mindset between him and himself (Ben Adam Lasmo), for the Smag it is a mitzvah of how he relates to the poor person (Ben Adam Lechevero). Rabbenu Yona (Shaarei Teshuva 3:35-6) seems to understand Devarim 15:10 לא ירע לבבך like the Smag, but Devarim 15:7 לא תאמץ את לבבך like the Ramban understood לא ירע לבבך.</ref> | #Giving tzedaka with a sour attitude that it is a loss to oneself is forbidden.<ref>Ramban (Shichachat Halavin n. 17) writes based on Devarim 15:10 that it is a biblical prohibition to give begrudgingly with the feeling that it is a loss, rather one should believe that it is a rewarded and beneficial activity. This is also the opinion of the Bahag (Lavin with Malkot n. 192) and Smak (Mitzvah 21). Gra 249:6 and Badei Hashulchan (Biurim 247 p. 1) quote this as well. However, Smag (Lavin 289) understands this prohibition of Devarim 15:10 to be referring to someone who gives with a stingy eye. Ahavat Tzedaka 1:3:2 explains that while for the Ramban the mitzvah depends on a person's mindset between him and himself (Ben Adam Lasmo), for the Smag it is a mitzvah of how he relates to the poor person (Ben Adam Lechevero). Rabbenu Yona (Shaarei Teshuva 3:35-6) seems to understand Devarim 15:10 לא ירע לבבך like the Smag, but Devarim 15:7 לא תאמץ את לבבך like the Ramban understood לא ירע לבבך.</ref> | ||
===Not Giving=== | ===Not Giving=== | ||
#There is a biblical prohibition to harden your heart and not give tzedaka.<ref>Devarim 15:7, Sefer Hachinuch 478, Yereyim 202, Rambam (Sefer Hamitzvot Lavin 232), Smag 289</ref>There is a prohibition of turning away one’s eyes from a poor person’s request.<ref>Rambam (Matanot Laniyim 7:2), Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 247:1</ref> | #There is a biblical prohibition to harden your heart and not give tzedaka.<ref>Devarim 15:7, Sefer Hachinuch 478, Yereyim 202, Rambam (Sefer Hamitzvot Lavin 232), Smag 289</ref>There is a prohibition of turning away one’s eyes from a poor person’s request.<ref>Rambam (Matanot Laniyim 7:2), Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 247:1</ref> | ||
