TZEDAKAH: THE DEMISE OF THE PUSHKA
By Rabbi Kenneth L. Cohen
When my mother died last year, I inherited a little money, some "chachkas" (yiddish for knick knacks), and a lot of memories.
But one thing I took from her home and will always cherish combined all three of these things. It was her little "blue box" in which she put pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters to help redeem the promised land. Such little tin boxes were common enough in Jewish homes. On the front of most of these blue boxes was a map of Israel. Mom's, however, was different. It was so old that it didn't have Israel on it. When she got it when she was a newlywed, there was no Israel. Israel was still a dream. The blue and white box was adorned with a star of David and a map of British Palestine.
My own Jewish education, which ultimately led me to become a rabbi, was tied up with this little box. When I was barely old enough to walk, every Friday evening, before Mom would light candles, I was introduced to a ritual which I continue with my son Zachary. I was given two coins. One, I was told, was for me. The other was for the box.
The Yiddish word for charity box is "pushke." To my enormous regret, the "pushke" has become somewhat obsolete. Not that Jewish people are not as generous as they once were. God forbid! Philanthropy-remains a hallmark of our community even where piety and traditional learning have waned. But the "pushke"? It is a relic, threatened
not by frugality, but by inflation and technology. Alas, coins are not worth what they once were. "Pushkas," which must be distributed and collected, are not cost effective. It is more economical to give charity with a check, which, in turn, can be used for tax credits. The modern philanthropist is likely to charge his or her contribution to a credit card. Now Mom didn't know about frequent flyer miles, but when it came to worthy causes, she was a high flyer.
The demise of the "pushke" is not a tragedy for philanthropy. But it is a tragedy for Jewish education. A child cannot help write a check. A three year old does not know what to do with a credit card. But a little fellow or a little lass can put coins in a box. In this way a child can be initiated into this great mitzvah (good deed). In this manner each boy and girl can learn, in a very real sense that charity begins at home.
_______________________________________________
Rabbi Yisrael Salanter was once asked: How do you take care of your spiritual needs? He responded “By taking care of somebody else’s physical needs.”
Rebbe Levi Yitzhak of Berdichev said “Rather than take care of somebody else’s should and your own body, take care of somebody else’s body and your own
soul.”
By Rabbi Kenneth L. Cohen
When my mother died last year, I inherited a little money, some "chachkas" (yiddish for knick knacks), and a lot of memories.
But one thing I took from her home and will always cherish combined all three of these things. It was her little "blue box" in which she put pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters to help redeem the promised land. Such little tin boxes were common enough in Jewish homes. On the front of most of these blue boxes was a map of Israel. Mom's, however, was different. It was so old that it didn't have Israel on it. When she got it when she was a newlywed, there was no Israel. Israel was still a dream. The blue and white box was adorned with a star of David and a map of British Palestine.
My own Jewish education, which ultimately led me to become a rabbi, was tied up with this little box. When I was barely old enough to walk, every Friday evening, before Mom would light candles, I was introduced to a ritual which I continue with my son Zachary. I was given two coins. One, I was told, was for me. The other was for the box.
The Yiddish word for charity box is "pushke." To my enormous regret, the "pushke" has become somewhat obsolete. Not that Jewish people are not as generous as they once were. God forbid! Philanthropy-remains a hallmark of our community even where piety and traditional learning have waned. But the "pushke"? It is a relic, threatened
not by frugality, but by inflation and technology. Alas, coins are not worth what they once were. "Pushkas," which must be distributed and collected, are not cost effective. It is more economical to give charity with a check, which, in turn, can be used for tax credits. The modern philanthropist is likely to charge his or her contribution to a credit card. Now Mom didn't know about frequent flyer miles, but when it came to worthy causes, she was a high flyer.
The demise of the "pushke" is not a tragedy for philanthropy. But it is a tragedy for Jewish education. A child cannot help write a check. A three year old does not know what to do with a credit card. But a little fellow or a little lass can put coins in a box. In this way a child can be initiated into this great mitzvah (good deed). In this manner each boy and girl can learn, in a very real sense that charity begins at home.
_______________________________________________
Rabbi Yisrael Salanter was once asked: How do you take care of your spiritual needs? He responded “By taking care of somebody else’s physical needs.”
Rebbe Levi Yitzhak of Berdichev said “Rather than take care of somebody else’s should and your own body, take care of somebody else’s body and your own
soul.”