[Avodah] Tzedaka & middot Q

[Jacob Farkas]

Rn Toby Katz:

> Socialism is the opposite -- it's not  your money, the government  takes it
> away from you and decides who to give your money to, whether you think
> those recipients deserve it or not.

Rambam in Hilchos Matnos Aniyim (Pereq 7) has a similar model when
discussing someone who refuses to "volunteer" his money to Tzedakah
(or gives less than deemed his share). This model includes beatings
and confiscation of property.

> Socialism is attractive to many people
> for the very reason that it /frees/ them from the obligation to give tzedakah
> --  cleanses their conscience -- so they can look at a poor person and say,
> "You're  not my problem, go to the welfare office and leave me alone."  This
> is, for  the same reason, the big attraction of voting Democat -- it
> enables you to feel  charitable because you voted to redistribute /other people's/
> money, and frees  you of the obligation to give away your own money.   Once
> again,  socialism is the opposite of tzedakah.

I think you are confusing Socialism with redistribution. I also think
that Tzadekah is the Torah's vehicle for redistribution in ensuring
that everyone gets Dai Machsoro (...to each according to his need?)

--Jacob Farkas