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The Spirituality of Giving

North American Jews have established a communal infrastructure of stellar quality that is admired and held up as exemplary far and wide. Over the past decade, the burning issue of Jewish continuity has driven many people to wonder if the culture of philanthropy that we've built will be able to sustain itself. Today's world has shown a thirst for meaning and spirituality - can our communal and tzedakah (charity) activities nourish hungry Jewish souls? The passion to "seek" often leads people to esoteric studies, retreats and travel to exotic places. Judaism has always known that true spirituality lies much closer to home. Our mystical tradition reveals the potential for spirituality in seemingly mundane activities. It depends on your perspective. The most primal religious impulse is the striving for intimacy with the Almighty. Our Torah teaches that to get close to G-d, we need to pattern our lives after G-d, to become G-dly.

"Just as He clothes the naked (Adam and Eve), so you shall also clothe the naked. G-d visited the sick (Abraham), you shall also visit the sick. As He comforted mourners (Isaac), so you shall comfort mourners. Just as He buried the dead (Moses), so shall you bury the dead". (Babylonian Talmud, Sotah 14a)

All too often, we aren't sensitive to the holiness of giving, helping and going beyond ourselves. Each day presents us with countless opportunities to extend ourselves - act with kindness and generosity in a manner that resembles the Creator. Changing a baby's diaper, pausing to allow another motorist to get in front, giving someone a compliment or a full smile can be powerful spiritual experiences if done with the intention of coming closer to G-d.

The nobility of serving others is acknowledged in our Shabbat morning liturgy. After the Torah reading, there is a special blessing for "those who give tzedakah to the poor, as well as those who faithfully occupy themselves with the needs of the community." Rabbi Yosef Karo notes in his Beit Yosef that by publicly proclaiming the great reward that awaits those who serve the community, we hope that others will emulate their deeds. We learn in Ethics of the Fathers (1:2) that ultimately, the universe is sustained by the unselfish giving that we do. Let's keep up the good work, and truly value what it really means.