Tithes for Charity

There are two terms related to our handling of money matters. One is called, שמיטת כספים and the other is known as מעשר כספים.

The first term is related to the Sabbatical year. The Shmitta of money, refers to the forgiveness of loans on that year. The great Tanna, Hillel, instituted the Prozbul document, that we still use today, to bypass this obligation of forgiving loans.

The second term refers to a tithing of money. This means that we are to keep track of our income, and give ten percent to charity. This is also observed today by G-d fearing Jews who follow the Torah.

The reason Hillel instituted the Prozbul was to encourage lenders to continue lending. He felt that he had the authority to make such a decision, because Shmitta laws were only rabbinical.

The rule was that Shmitta becomes a Torah law, when Yovel, the Jubilee year was from the Torah. Some say this will happen when all of the tribes are situated in their respective lands. The majority of the Jews in the world, must be living in Israel.

While there doesn’t seem to be any argument regarding the Shmitta laws, that they are rabbinical, there is some debate regarding our tithing our income.

There are three opinions in this matter. There are authorities who say that this tithing remains a Torah law. Others say it is rabbinic, and still others say it is only a custom. Nevertheless, there is no question that it is a huge Mitzva to give charity and hear the cries of the less fortunate.

This is clearly what defines as Jews. We are a compassionate people that love doing acts of kindness. In the time of the Torah, the fields were tithed. Today, we tithe our income, showing gratitude to Hashem for His abundant gifts.