Living generously

at Hillel Academy

What is generosity? Is it an encouraging smile, or a donation to a charitable organization? A gift for a loved one, or a meal for the hungry? To find the true definition of generosity, we don’t need to look in a dictionary. But we do need to look in our souls.

In Judaism, one is obligated to live generously. It is a great mitzvah to give tzedakah, or charity, to poor people. There are many organizations to help us with this mitzvah, to distribute the many needs of life, such as food, clothes, and housing, to families across the globe.

Generosity isn’t all about what you give, or how much you give. It’s also about how you give it. There is a story in the Talmud about two sons, who each served their father a meal. The first son served his father an expensive, fancy, delectable meal.

But while his father ate, the son complained how much the meal had cost him, and how he could have used the money for other things. The second son served his father a few simple dishes, but he did so with great joy and love. The first son’s service was not acknowledged by G-d because it was not done properly, despite the expensive, fancy, delectable meal. But the second son was rewarded for his devotion to his father.

The truth is, there is no one true definition of generosity, or living generously. Each individual has their own idea and philosophy of what that means. I believe as long as you give with love, happiness, and sincerity, no matter what or how much you give, G-d will accept your mitzvah.