ABSTRACT
The Jewish theory of philanthropy—or humanity that is helping those who need help—has often been discussed and analyzed. This chapter describes the metaphysical foundation of charity and underscores a few basic concepts, whose implications for Jewish social justice and welfare are as profound as they are pervasive, by interpreting one striking talmudic passage, a dialogue between the second-century sage R. Akiba and the Roman general Turnus Rufus who was governor of the Judean province. This historical fragment embodies the quintessence of a Judaic social ethic: the special role of man in the world, resulting from his practice of philanthropy; and the relation of men to each other. According to many talmudic authorities, however, the negative commandment not to harden one's heart relates exclusively to one's mental-emotional attitude when confronted with distress. Welfare activities are no more "dangerous" in theory than the activities of high-powered, mechanized philanthropy: both challenge the subjective element, both tend to neutralize or obliterate it.
