Sublime

If, however, one promises to give a poor person25 a present — whether a large one or a small one — he cannot retract, [even] according to the letter of the law, because it is considered as a vow.26 Even if he [merely] undertook a resolution in his heart, he must carry out that resolve,27 as will be explained in Hilchos Tzedakah. 28

“As soon as one adopts a way of life in accordance with the law, even though a lover of money, one is forced to act contrary to natural ways and to lend without interest to the needy and to cancel the debt when the seventh year arrives” (2:8).

Mamabezu means “he or she has enough.” Alabezu means “we all have enough.”

The source of our godliness, an array of Jewish sages teaches, is our capacity for kindness and generosity. Accordingly, our greatest desire should be to do good for others.

Hashem loves righteousness and justice, the objective of both being the bringing of balance to this world.

Charity is the comprehensive tikkun for business activity. With every step a person takes as he goes about his business, with every word he speaks and every ounce of strength he puts into his work, he should have it in mind that his only goal is to give charity from the money he earns (29:9).

What distinguishes the concept of tzedakah is, firstly, an absolute refusal on the part of the sages to romanticize poverty. It is not, for them, a blessed state. It is an unmitigated evil.

Weights should be made in denominations of a litra, 51 half a litra, and a fourth of a litra. 52 One should not make them a third of a litra, a fifth of a litra, or three fourths of a litra, because errors can be made in such instances.53