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Published: December 3, 2005

Visitor Comments: 7

(7) Anonymous, December 26, 2005 12:00 AM

How much is enough?

It is probably physically easier for someone who makes billions of dollars to give a higher percentage of their income. But emotionally, or in actuality, it is more difficult. Why? Because someone who dedicates himself to earning money so far in excess of what is needed for life has his eyes on something very different from charity.

Most of us don't make that ten percent, though we may think we do. Our accountant continuously asks us, "WHy don't you think of yourself first?" We know he wouldn't understand, so we just laugh. But we haven't sat down and said, "Is this ten percent? Is this twenty percent?"

And as an aside, it's much easier to give charity once your children are grown!

(6) julia, December 16, 2005 12:00 AM

a corporation IS a person

A corperation has almost all the same rights as a citizen of the united states. They pay taxes, are liable for damages, can sue others for defamation, can hold patents, can buy and sell and trade and even be legally terminated. A corporation is only different in that it does not have a unique moral responsibility to it's fellow corporations, though it does have a responsibility to people. Corporations can also treat their donations as a form of collateral, the way some people do. People sometimes feel poor, or greedy, and don't want to give to charity. If they arrainge for the corporation they work for to give it is money they don't have to think about giving on their own & they can take credit and a sense of righteousness in the larger amount that was given by the corporation than they could have given individually. It is a false pride, but I think an admirable attempt at real charity.

(5) Anonymous, December 8, 2005 12:00 AM

Charity is not a corporate responsibility

Corporate profits of of a pubicly traded corporation are owned by the shareholders of that corporation. It is the individual's responsibility to give tzedaka, not a corporate entity. In fact, as a stockholder, I would be disappointed to find that a company of which I owned a part was making this important decision for me. What if I don't want my money going to the charity "the corporation" chooses? In fact, how would they make that choice? This isn't something that can be decided in a proxy statement or during an annual shareholders' meeting. It's fiscally irresponsible for a corporation to give to charity.

(4) Jono, December 5, 2005 12:00 AM

How much Charity

I think we should be happy and impressed. It's not every day that a company gives 88.8 million dollars. I think we should be happy and set new goals to mabye 3 % and then higher and keep this going. That is the proccess we should be focusing on.

(3) tamara, December 5, 2005 12:00 AM

a corporation isn't a person . . .

I think it's great that Target, Nationwide, and Coke are committed on any level to give to charity. A corporation is not a person and is under no obligation, moral or otherwise, to give away its profits. The obligation is to the shareholders!!

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About the Author

Rabbi Yaakov Salomon

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Rabbi Yaakov Salomon, C.S.W. is a noted psychotherapist, in private practice in Brooklyn, N.Y. for over 25 years. He is a Senior Lecturer and the Creative Director of Aish Hatorah's Discovery Productions. He is also an editor and author for the Artscroll Publishing Series and a member of the Kollel of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath.

Rabbi Salomon is co-author, with Rabbi Noah Weinberg, of the best selling book "What the Angel Taught You; Seven Keys to Life Fulfillment," (Mesorah), and is also the co-producer of the highly-acclaimed film, "Inspired."

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In these marvelous stories -- brimming with wit, understanding, a touch of irony and a large helping of authentic Torah perspective -- we will walk with a renowned and experienced psychotherapist and popular author through the pathways of contemporary life: its crowded sidewalks, its pedestrian malls, and the occasional dead end street. This is a walk through our lives that will be fun, entertaining -- and eye-opening. In our full -- sometimes overfull -- and complex lives, Yaakov Salomon is a welcome and much-needed voice of sanity and reason.

His speaking, writing and musical talents have delighted audiences from Harvard to Broadway and everything in between. Rabbi Salomon shares his life with his wife, Temmy, and their unpredictable family.