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We Jews have a sense of duty to give immigrants a hand, not because they are Jews, but because we are Jews.
A lease is a contract through which provisional possession of an asset is given to a temporary user. The user benefits from the property as long as it is in his control.
After the set times for the lease expires, the property turns back to the original owner.
In a nutshell, this could be said to be the Jewish conception of life. The “asset” leased is the life of every human being. Following this line of thought, Judaism considers that though they are perfectly free to enjoy their leased life, they are essentially its stewards, the custodians of human life.
“What is the spirit of Israel? The spirit of fulfilling the simple truth that man has been created for a purpose. There is a purpose to creation, and there is a purpose to the human race, one we have not made up ourselves or agreed to among ourselves; we have not decided that henceforward this, that, or the other shall serve as the purpose of our existence. No, the purpose itself was revealed its face to us, and we have gazed upon it.”
The obligation to help the needy rests upon a theological assumption: all wealth ultimately belongs to God, and human beings must adequately fulfill their roles as stewards of God’s possessions by aiding those in need.
This idea of sharing what is given to us is expressed in Judaism through the concept of “Tzedakah.” This word has its roots in “Tzedek,” a Hebrew term that means “justice.”
While usually translated as “charity,” however, a more accurate definition of tzedakah is “doing the right thing.”
Judaism’s most important mitzvah, the most important act a human being can do, is tzedakah- to do the right thing.
Deep within the hearts and minds of most Jews lies the belief that helping those in need is the most important mission in life.
This idea is somewhat easy to understand when we care for our children or our parents in their old age, yet it starts to become murky when we go beyond our family’s borders.
Tzedakah is a requirement for Jewish peoplehood, and to say that is an understatement. Jews feel obligated to assist others in need, not on condition that they be Jews but just because we are Jews.
“I have supplied you with abundance so that you may give to the needy to the extent of your means.”
“Tzedakah is equal in importance to all the other commandments in the Torah combined”
(Talmud Baba bathra 9b)
Business is always a partnership
So is Tzedakah
