Tzedaka
The highest level of tzedaka (charity--the same word root for righteousness)
is where you never find out who receives and the receiver never finds out
who has
given. In the holy Temple there was a large box where people would drop off
money and the poor would withdraw it was impossible to tell the donors form
the
receivers. In modern Jewish religious communities a Gamel Chesed (carrier of
kindness) will deliver food packages on a regular basis as a family in hard
times
needs, these families will likely find envelopes of cash appear in coat pockets
or under doors (rent the family friendly movie Ushpizin http://www.ushpizin.com/ to get a better idea of how it works). It is considered evil speech to finger
out a person who is known for giving tzedaka directly as he might be mobbed
by the poor and depleted. This delivery also keeps the poor from feeling beholden
to their known donors.
In a survival scenario the ancient wisdom of an anonymous surprise gift of
supplies distributed by a designated messenger (like The Postman) will reduce
the danger of you becoming known as the house with supplies to be constantly
begged or raided. Always remember as I have said before your responsibility
bulls eye starts with you in center-then wife and kids, other family, neighbors,
more distant victims, and so forth.
Tehillim (Psalms)
The writers of the Tehillim were holy men who inspired by the Almighty
wrote poems which were meant to among other things invoke the trait of mercy
from
the
Creator. It has been a constant that in times of trouble we have resorted to
prayer, fasting, and charity to overturn a harsh decree against us. Tehillim falls
in the core of our appeals to the King of the Universe. When expressed in Hebrew
they are at their most potent and beautiful. I (with no financial
or other interest) personally recommend one of my favorite artists singing
these as I would imagine David the king or the Levim in the Temple would have.
See: http://www.israel-music.com/yosef_karduner/ or
do a web search for Tehillim for other artists. BTW, I always carry
either my larger prayer book which contains all of Tehillim or a small
pocket size compendium that measures about 2" x 3".
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