 One should give charity to the poor of the Jewish
community according to one's ablity. One should
also smile, talk to them and give them moral support.
 "Rather, you shall open your hand to
him; you shall lend him his requirement, whatever is lacking
to him." - Deuteronomy 15:8
 It is a mitzvah not only to loan money, but also to loan
vessels and other things since everything is included in
kindness. It has been taught: Charity is great - from the day
the world was created until now the world stands on charity.
He who gives a lot of charity is praiseworthy - it delivers him
from Gehinnom (Hell).
A Roman officer asked Rabbi Akiva, "If your god loves poor
people why does he not support them?" Rabbi Akiva
answered: "To save the ones who give the poor charity, from
Gehinnom."
 Observant Jews are careful to give Maaser (tithes) from their earnings to charity. Maaser means "a tenth" and is derived from the ten percent of one's produce that is given to the tribe of Levi in the Land of Israel. Jewish law restricts how much we should give to charity, though a person of means can give more.
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