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                    IS GOD INVOLVED IN OUR GIVING?
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                <strong>Texts from Our Tradition:</strong> <br /><br />

                <strong>Text 1:</strong><br />
                In Judaism and Justice: The Jewish Passion to Repair the World we find the following argument:<br /><br /> 
                
                Much has been made of the distinction in Judaism between those laws that are between a person and God and those that are between people and people. The former tend to get categorized as "ritual laws," such as keeping the Sabbath or keeping the laws of kashrut (dietary laws). The latter tend to get called "ethical laws," such as giving charity or visiting the sick...this dichotomy is not always helpful. (Schwarz, 6-7)  <br /><br />
                
                <strong>Text 2:</strong> <br />
                The following rabbinic statements challenge the legitimacy of the categorizations of behavior and traditions specifically regarding tzedakah. <br /><br />
                
                A. If a person closes his eyes to avoid giving tzedakah, it is as if he committed idolatry. (Ketubot 68a)<br /><br />
                
                B. Rabbi Elazar of Bartota said:  Render to Him that which is his, for you and all that you have are His, as David said (I Chronicles 29:14): "For all things come from You, and of Your own have we given you." (Pirkei Avot, 3:8)<br /><br />
                
                C. All tzedakah and g'milut hasadim that the children of Israel perform in this world promote peace and good understanding between them and God. (Bava Batra 10a)<br /><br />
                
                
                <strong>Guiding Thoughts:</strong><br /><br />
                
                1. Regarding statement 1, is averting the eyes from need considered a betrayal of God because it is a conscience avoidance of a mitzvah, or does looking away from a person in need so deeply insult the person, who is created in the image of God? <br /><br />
                
                2. Regarding statement 2, what is the significance of recognizing that our wealth is of diving origin? When we give of God's wealth do another person, does this act engage God in any way? <br /><br />
                
                3. Regarding statement 3, in what ways do you understand tzedakah and g'milut hasadim as affecting your relationship with God?<br /><br /> 
                
                4. What kind of statement does over-indulgence in luxury  ourselves that make about our understanding of the providence of the wealth?

                
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