Zedakah: practicing Justice

The literal translation of zedakah is “righteousness”, but it is often translated as “charity”. In Judaism, however, zedakah is not a voluntary donation but instead a mitzvah, a religious duty. The call for solidarity with those in need goes right back to the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), which states that the poor, orphans, widows and strangers should be helped. In Judaism, people who give are not acting generously but doing what is right, and both donors and recipients should treat each other with respect. Zedakah also plays a central role in modern-day Judaism, with donations, social projects and voluntary work shaping Jewish life all over the globe – and everyone is able to support such work.