The Laws of Tz’daka vol. 4, no. 3
Our Rabbis classified a hierarchy of eight levels of dispensing tz’daka (charity). The highest level of tz’daka involves helping out a fellow Jew before he becomes needy by forming a partnership, finding him work, lending him money, or giving him a gift as though out of friendship rather than charity.1 By helping his fellow Jew in this way one saves him from impending poverty and evades the embarrassment of an obvious handout. According to some authorities buying his wares at a higher price is included in this category.2
Below this is a level of tz’daka in which the giver does not know who will be the recipient and the recipient does not know who gave the tz’daka. Below this level is a situation where the giver knows who will be the recipient but the recipient does not know who gave. The next level is when the recipient knows who gave but the giver does not know who received.
The next level on the hierarchy is when the tz’daka is given before the needy person asks for it. Below this is when the person has to ask for it, and receives what he needs. A lower level is when the recipient does not receive all he needs, but at least the charity was given with a pleasant countenance. A lower level is when the charity was given with an unpleasant countenance, but at least the giver did not appear annoyed or angry. One who gives charity with an air of annoyance or anger loses what could have been a meritorious act.
There is also a hierarchy regarding to whom one should give tz’daka first.3 One should give tz’daka to one of his relatives before other needy people. His parents take precedence over other relatives. Charity to one’s children takes precedent over other relatives. If one has needy neighbors they should be given tz’daka before other needy in the city, even before the needy of Eretz Yisrael. The needy of Eretz Yisrael take precedence over the needy of one’s city in the Diaspora. The needy of one’s city take precedence over the needy of other cities. A Torah scholar should be given charity before others.
One who needs food takes precedent over one who needs clothing, except for a Torah scholar who would take precedent even if he only needs clothing.
A needy woman takes precedence over a needy man.
1) YD249:6 2)Tzadaka Umishpat 1:(85) 3)YD 251
