No Time to be Humble

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Published: January 20, 2007
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Visitor Comments: 11

(11) Yaakov, February 6, 2007 7:58 PM

It made a real impact on me

I just want to say that as a child and until today every time I walk into my Grandparents homes and see the plaques on their walls and the letters in the mail from Yeshivos and Tzedakos from around the globe it makes me feel proud and reinforces my desire to do the same when I am older and will iy'h have the means to support others as well. There public charity has inspired me and many others.

(10) Finn K, February 4, 2007 2:29 PM

WHY are you giving

Do you see a need and wish in your own small way to fill it

Do you have a need for others to see, what a generous person you are

Is it not most often best not to tell who you are???

(9) Margarita, February 3, 2007 5:37 AM

charity

I think it's very important to do things the way you feel comfortable with. I feel more comfortable not giving my name most of the time, however there is something else for people to encourage donations: tell exactly where money will go and how far of target are you. If one cannot decide to give 100 or 120 for the project and one knows that 130 needed, most likely that the amount one will give.
I find it frustrating sometimes when I want to know more about the charity or projects, and all I get is the wall of silence.

(8) Sarah, January 31, 2007 2:30 PM

Whatever suits you ...its all good

Charity is a good thing, we all agree. Although some give it for reasons other than altruism, it still reaches the needy. Whether it's a tax deduction, honor, or the desire to win at a chinese auction or a raffle, it provides the funds. I believe it is usually the chesed instinct that kicks in when we contribute. However, if we do enter a raffle, we are entitled to a chance to win and should not feel we aught to give the prize back.
I think giving anonymously is beneficial to the individual recipient rather than to an organization. Many individuals may be uncomfrtable with handouts, identifying them as needy, unlike organizations.
I had a cousin who would send her young kids to walk up the stairs to the top floor of a tenement building, where poor people lived, and they would throw a handkercheif with money near a door then run away, after ringing the bell. That was before tax deductions were ever given. At that time, the family were low income too, but they understood that there were others poorer still.
Those children ended up being super rich; perhaps Hashem noted that they had the right values imbued and would use their money wisely.
Rockefella, I saw in a documentary, took 10% off his first paycheck, and subsequent ones, to give charity, before he was rich. He worked as a bookeeper to support the family when his father left them.
Charity saves a life, it is said, and it is wonderful if we have it in us to want to do this great mitzva, anonymously or with great honor. Charity begins at home, but should not stop there.

(7) Andy, January 25, 2007 1:05 PM

anonymous or flaunting the best of both ways seem possible

There are reasons that giving anonymously is often stated by the sages as giving on a higher spiritual level. No public honor feeding the ego, and there is no risk of contributing to another's feeling of shame if others have self esteem issues and can only afford to give little or nothing. The other side is that I've never heard organizations claim that they received less money when the list of donors was not made public, and I've often heard the reverse. Recently I received a letter from the local Federation stating if I wished to not have my name included on the honor roll of donors I could check a box on the envelope so stating to confirm. That seems the best way to handle this delicate subject

(6) elisheva shayne, January 24, 2007 5:59 PM

donating

When my Rabbi announced that Mrs. X had given$700.00 for a succkah I was so impressed that I later gave a hugh donation. I also told Mrs. X that I was impressed by her action which inspired me to give generously.
I feel that my children should know what I do so that they can emulate this characteristic.

(5) Yitzhak, January 24, 2007 12:35 PM

Charity is best given anonymously

Since everything comes from G-d, all praise should be to Hashem only. By giving Charity anonymously one is giving credit to the true source of all that is (Hashem) and, like Schmurah matza, ensuring that one's ego is deflated and that one is giving solely to acknowledge G-d's great Gifts to each of us and not to create some egotistical competition among Avrohom, Yitzchok, and Dovid -- such an intended or unintended competition is NOT G-dly. Nor are we supposed to shame our fellowman -- by the very act of naming those who can/do donate charity, one is shaming (purposely or unintentionally) those who are not named (and who perhaps cannot, for reasons known to Hashem, donate any charity at that particular moment).

(4) Matt, January 23, 2007 6:45 AM

Giving from Within

I do not agree with the idea that giving, while stating your name, helps other people, either family or others in the community. The beauty behind giving anonymously stems from the feeling you give to yourself knowing that you gave of your own free will, no matter if 18 or 1800 dollars. Knowing the fact that others have given does not activate others to give; and in some cases this could lead to giving charity from reasons other than the good intentions of oneself. Now any giving is of benefit, no mater the motive. I personally feel that giving anonymously frees people from separation (even if its only internal feelings of separation), and from my point of view Judaism has always seen people as equal no mater their monetary ability to give.

(3) Judah Rosen, January 22, 2007 3:56 PM

what do I think?

I think that it is any oxymoron to mention her name, if she gave it anonymously
kol tuv
Judah

(2) yussie gewirtz, January 22, 2007 12:49 PM

I am against anonymous donations at an appeal

I would have asked my name not be displayed but after Rabbi Salomon's comments I can't.

I would like to expand on Rabbi Salomon's message. Many shuls have appeals. They often follow with mentioning the names of the contributors. Avrohom $100, Yitzchok $50 etc... But, then they anounce anonymous $200, $18 or whatever. People do this as Rabbi Salomon suggest for altruistic reasons; however, the unintended consequences are many. 1) It gives cover to those who don't contribute. 2) If a person gives because of the honor involved, he will feel that there is something wrong with having his name mentioned and will lose his incentive for giving. 3) If his name is announced, he encourages others to envy and try to match or top him. 4) We all need incentives to be the best we can be and Tzedakah is no exception.

(1) Anonymous, January 21, 2007 7:07 PM

Thanks for update; monthly, please. Thanks

see above.

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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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