Alms in Judaism

thumb|Tzedakah box (Pushke), Charleston, 1820, silver, [[National Museum of American Jewish History]] Tzedakah ( ṣədāqā, ) is a Hebrew word meaning "righteousness", but commonly used to signify charity. This concept of "charity" differs from the modern Western understanding of "charity". The latter is typically understood as a spontaneous act of goodwill and a marker of generosity; tzedakah is an ethical obligation, and it is not properly "charity", like in Christendom, but a way to empower poor people to support themselves, helping them in developing their talents and skills. The Medieval Jew

foodstuff gifts distributed on the Jewish holiday of Purim

Medal by Leo Baeck Institute of New York for special efforts in German-Jewish reconciliation