More Blessed to Give

Rebbe Nachman on Charity

by Chaim Kramer

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More Laws of Charity

8) How much should a person give to charity? The amount depends upon one's ability to give. If one is able to [fully] sustain the impoverished person, he should do so. If he can't afford that much, he should tithe his income by giving 20% to charity. If that is too much, then the standard tithe, namely 10%, is sufficient.

It would be nice if we could supply all the needs of any poor person who came to our door. However, it's unlikely that any of us are in such a strong financial position. In reality, we must weigh not only the needs of the poor person, but our own as well. Rebbe Nachman calls this process "judgment," for the donor makes at that moment a very serious decision which impacts directly on both his and the mendicant's financial well-being. King David says, "For God is Judge; one He lowers and one He raises" (Psalms 75:8). Namely, some He impoverishes and some He enriches (Bereishis Rabbah 68:4). When a person gives charity, he is emulating God by "impoverishing" himself (subtracting from his wealth) while "raising" the other (giving money to the poor). Consequently, by giving charity, one embraces and executes the quality of judgment (Likutey Moharan I, Lesson #2:4). Thus the question, "How much should one give to charity?"

It seems that most people can "make it" through the month. They are required to give to charity. The "how much" question is one each person must "judge" for himself, in a very serious manner. The best way to do this is to put oneself in the poor person's shoes. How would you like to be received at the door - and what would you consider a realistic donation from the people inside?

We know most people are biased in favor of themselves, so the judgment will not be easily made. Therefore, our Sages suggest tithing one's income, 20% if possible, or at least 10%. The individual then has a know quantity that he can donate at his/ her discretion. Many people have a separate checking account for charity funds. Depending upon one's largesse this is even advisable, because this makes it easier to keep track of contributions. Whatever system one decides to use, the money should be tithed upon receipt and immediately ready to be disbursed. It makes the "judgment" to give a lot easier when the money is ready.

One has much more latitude in deciding to whom to give, as we saw in Blessed #7. "How much?" requires much deliberation. Nonetheless, the idea "to sustain the impoverished" tells us that we should try to give an amount which will be helpful to the recipient.

9) The first year one gives a tithe, it should be calculated in proportion to the total principal of one's (ready) funds. After that money has been invested, the person should give 10% from the earnings.

The law addresses how much a person should give from his income. Income is calculated according to one's entire financial portfolio, which might include savings accounts, stocks, bonds, real estate, value of business investments (e.g., inventory, machinery and vehicles) and so on. Assets which are not liquid, as some of those listed, are not considered "ready income" which needs to be tithed. One is not required to liquidate his holdings in order to give charity. The remaining "cash-on-hand" income is the basis for the tithe. (See paragraph 8 above, that charity money should be set aside when it is "incoming," so it is ready for disbursement.)

10) One should not give more than 20% of his income to charity, lest he become poor and need to receive charity. In special cases one may do so.

An example of a "special case" mentioned in the Codes, is a person on his deathbed. Since there is obviously no longer any fear of his becoming poor, he can give everything away. However, the Talmud teaches that the person should not do, since his children, and others, should be taken into consideration (cf. Bava Batra 133b and the story of Yonatan ben Uziel). We will offer other examples.

Let's consider a person whose gross annual income is $100,000. Giving 10% is suggested, but quite difficult. After the tax bite, mortgage, school fees, car expenses and daily needs - food, clothing, etc. - there isn't much left. What about someone who earns a million dollars annually? Granted, taxes, mortgage and car payments are greater. Other expenditures, however, need not be exaggerated. One could give away quite a bit, even 20% of the net income, and still have enough left to live comfortably.

Someone with an annual income of several million dollars, or ten million or more, could even give 30% or 40% of it to charity. Relative to what remains, it isn't really that much (especially since most people in such income brackets use the services of professional tax consultants, so that the taxes they pay are actually smaller in percentage than those of people whose incomes are smaller).

Thank God, there quite a few people with substantial incomes who can afford to gift more than the standard 10% deduction. There are also quite a few who can give away more than 20% of their income. May God continue to bless them, Amen. At any rate, the above-mentioned examples are permitted to give away more than 20%. May they be worthy of doing so.

11) There are times when the person approached for charity might find himself without funds to give. He should take care not to get upset. Even more is required of him. He must make every effort to console the poor person, speaking to him softly and pacifying him.

The Talmud teaches, "Whoever gives charity to a pauper receives six blessings; one who consoles him with words is blessed with eleven blessings" (Bava Batra 9b)! Imagine! If one consoles the pauper, gladdening his heart and offering encouragement, he receives even more blessings than if he would have given the pauper a large donation. However, it must be clearly understood that it is unacceptable to just console the person when one can give (because kind words pay neither the grocer nor the doctor). Even a person with sufficient income may sometimes not have sufficient cash (or a check) to contribute. Still, it is of great importance to respect the poor person and honor him, even if only with some kind of encouragement.

12) It is a great mitzvah to get others involved in charity work. One who does so has an even greater reward than the one who gives.

This means that one who goes around collecting for the poor (or for any worthwhile organization) and gets people to donate, will share in the heavenly reward of their mitzvah. In fact, he/ she will receive an even greater reward. One who gives charity receives a reward for doing the mitzvah. The fundraiser receives the same reward because s/he caused that money to be received by the charity. In addition, s/he is rewarded for having participated in raising those funds for charity.