THE
EIGHT DEGREES OF CHARITY (in
descending order of generosity)
According
to Moses Maimonides, a 12th century rabbi
First
Degree:
“Help a person Help Himself” Prevent poverty by giving someone a
gift or a loan or finding work for him so that he will not need to
appeal for help.
Second
Degree: “The
Giver and Receiver Unknown to Each Other” One who gives charity to
the poor without knowing to whom he gives and without the poor
knowing from whom they take.
Third
Degree: “Receiver
Known, Given Unknown” One who knows to whom he gives, without the
poor knowing from whom they receive. For example, in olden days, our
ancestors brought gifts into poor people’s homes and left without
being seen.
Fourth
Degree:
“Giver Does Not Know Receiver” The poor man knows from whom he
takes but the giver does not know the receiver. For example, there
were men who tied money in the corners of the cloaks they wore, so
that the poor might take it without being seen.
Fifth
Degree:
“Gives Before He is Asked” The man who gives before he has been
asked, but who puts it into the poor man’s hand, embarrassing him.
Sixth
Degree:
“Gives After He is Asked” The man who gives cheerfully, and as
much as he can, but only after being asked.
Seventh
Degree: “Gives
Less Than He Should, But Cheerfully” The man who gives less than he
ought to, but with a smile.
Eighth
Degree:
“Gives Unwillingly” Lowest on the ladder is the man who gives
only because he is forced to do so. This is the gift of the hand but
not of the heart. ~~~
When
we give, we should do so at whatever level we can and to the best of
our abilities.
