ABSTRACT
To benevolent duty the Rabbins assign one of the highest places in the ethical scale. It is better far than sacrifice ; nay, it outweighs all other duties. The Rabbins, indeed, recognise a larger charity than that which is limited to money-gifts. The Talmud even prescribes the limit beyond which a man’s charitable benefactions should not go ; it is a fifth of his property. Another obligation incumbent upon the rich is that of adequate giving. A man’s benefactions should be in generously calculated proportion to his resources. A man’s benefactions, then, should be proportionate to his means. But it is clear that no ratio is adequate which does not provide for some self-sacrifice. Another obligation incumbent upon the rich is that of adequate giving. A man’s benefactions should be in generously calculated proportion to his resources. If no one ought to give more than he can afford, it is also true that no one ought to give less.
