Moral insights and comments about Tzedakah ("Charity") are found throughout the vast body of rabbinic literature. This book attempts to present a survey of the rabbinic sources concerning Tzedakah and to provide the reader with an analysis of the system of Tzedakah as created and understood by the Rabbis.

• Table of Contents (page 5)
• Abbreviations (page 7)
• Transliteration (page 9)
• A Brief Introduction to Rabbinic Literature (page 11)
• The Origins of Rabbinic Judaism (page 11)
• Foundational Texts of Classical Rabbinic Judaism (page 13)
• Mishnah (page 14)
• Talmud (page 23)
• Midrash (page 33)
• Inner-Biblical Interpretation (page 34)
• Introduction to Tzedakah ("Charity") in Judaism (page 49)
• Chapter One: Theology of Tzedakah (page 55)
• Chapter Two: The Rabbinic View of Poverty and the Humiliation of Accepting Tzedakah (page 67)
• Chapter Three: The Rewards of Giving Tzedakah (page 79)
• Eligibility to Obtain the Reward (page 79)
• The Power of Tzedakah (page 81)
• Reciprocity of Benefit Between the Donor and the Donee (page 83)
• Benefits Obtained During One's Lifetime (page 85)
• The Miracle Stories (page 87)
• Benefits in the World to Come (page 93)
• Chapter Four: The Penalty of Not Giving Tzedakah (page 99)
• Chapter Five: The Role of Tzedakah in the Community (page 103)
• Chapter Six: The Urgency of Giving Tzedakah (page 109)
• Chapter Seven: Giving Tzedakah Discreetly and Indirectly (page 113)
• Chapter Eight: Rules Affecting the Donor of Tzedakah (page 119)
• Chapter Nine: Alms Collectors (page 125)
• Chapter Ten: The Priorities in Giving Tzedakah (page 131)
• Chapter Eleven: Vows and Tzedakah (page 139)
• Chapter Twelve: Motivation in Giving Tzedakah (page 147)
• Chapter Thirteen: Tzedakah in Relation to other Mitzvot (page 151)
• Chapter Fourteen: Tzedakah in Respect to Shabbat and Fast Days (page 157)
• Chapter Fifteen: Biblical Figures Performing Tzedakah (page 161)
• Chapter Sixteen: Restrictions upon the Donee and Receiving Tzedakah Fraudulently (page 167)
• Chapter Seventeen: Tzedakah and the Gentile Community (page 173)
• Conclusion (page 177)
• Rabbinic Authorities (page 179)
• Glossary (page 183)
• Bibliography (page 187)