Tzedakah Quiz

Tzedakah, or righteousness, is often interpreted as charity, because Judaism views giving as the ultimate act of righteousness. As in most areas of life, here too Jewish tradition makes practical demands and specifies expectations. How much do you know about Tzedakah?

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Question 1. Which social worker helped found the Maxwell Street Settlement House, the Women's Loan Association, and the Juvenile Protective Association?
 Julian Mack
 Hannah Greenbaum Solomon
 Minnie Low
 Lucy Flower

 

Question 2. In the Bible, giving tzedakah mainly takes what form?
 A financial donation
 A business lesson
 A heart-to-heart talk
 An agrarian contribution

 

Question 3. In the Bible, commandments regarding assistance for the poor are modeled after which of these?
 A mother’s behavior towards her child
 A king’s behavior towards his subjects
 A prophet’s behavior towards the people he is leading
 God’s behavior towards the People of Israel

 

Question 4. Which of the following statements about tzedakah is true?
 It is a way of looking at the world and understanding the human role in creating a more perfect world
 It is something Jews are not obligated to do on a daily basis, but something they should do when they feel moved by a particular situation
 It only applies if providing monetary assistance is both necessary and possible for the giver; if money does not change hands, it’s not tzedakah
 It is a way of approaching financial decisions that will keep observant Jews out of debt

 

Question 5. The phrase "One who loves money is never satisfied with money," is from
 Ecclesiastes
 Arba‘ah Turim
 The Midrash
 Maimonides’ Mishneh Torah

 

Question 6. True or false: Jews traditionally give tzedakah just before Shabbat and festivals.
 True
 False

 

Question 7. According to a rabbinic teaching, when a beggar stands before you asking for money
 You should ignore him
 You should cover your eyes
 You should know God's presence is with him
 You should know that God has abandoned him

 

Question 8. Which of the following is an example of tzedakah in biblical law?
 Lighting Shabbat candles
 Not eating pork
 Putting no other god before God
 Leaving the corners of one’s field unharvested

 

Question 9. Which of the following is not a loan regulation found in the Torah?
 A creditor was forbidden from seizing as collateral tools necessary for the debtor’s livelihood
 A garment pledged against a loan was to be returned for the night
 A creditor was forbidden to enter a debtor’s home to take a pledge
 Interest must be charged on loans of money and food

 

Question 10. According to the Mishnah, how much of one’s fields must one leave unharvested for the needy?
 1/4
 1/18
 1/20
 There is no set amount

 

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