Search results
The term “tithe” (Heb. “maaser”)—meaning, the one tenth part of something given to charity—appears often in the Torah, and perhaps in your synagogue’s latest appeal and in your rabbi’s sermons in one form or another. But how does tithing work? What is the history of tithing? And when are you obligated to tithe?
With respect to the Second Tithe, it was permitted to redeem their value in money for a later time when the owner is able to buy therewith fruits in Jerusalem and to eat them there, within the walls of the city.
So, it refers to the mitzvah of giving away one-tenth of your income to charity. ‘Excuse me! Do you know how much charity I give!?’. I don’t, but I’m sure you give a lot! In fact, every Jew is generous. It’s in our spiritual DNA. I also thought I was a generous person until I did the math.
However, there is one voluntary “tax” or “tithe“ that Jews give regardless of how the local government or society structures things: ma’aser kesafim, a tenth of money. Unlike the biblically mandated ma’aser mentioned earlier (which applies to agriculture and animals), one gives a tenth of all net profits to charity.
- Yehuda Shurpin
Today, some Jews donate a tenth of their annual income to tzedakah in fulfilment of the third tithe for the poor.
If he remains poor, a tenth would be a small gift, but a dear sacrifice. If he grows wealthy, a tenth would be a much larger gift, but perhaps easier to part with. Jacob makes this promise: whatever comes his way, he will give a tenth of it.
There is no requirement in the Bible to give "seed money" to a church, preacher or ministry, and no promise that any wealth or other blessings of any kind will come as a result. Verses like Matthew 13:1-9 and 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 are sometimes cited to support requests for seed money or other donations, but the blessings promised here are ...
