At this time of year, you see and hear the message everywhere: ‘Tis the season to give to your loved ones and to be jolly! People are enjoying parties and revelry. But amidst all the merriment, it’s easy to overlook the spiritual underpinnings of our holiday traditions. As Ira Riklis knows, the concept of giving unto others who are in real need is a key component of living a spiritual life. Many people consider such giving as an act of charity. But in the Jewish faith, this type of giving is a way of restoring justice and fairness in the world.
The Hebrew word for this is tzedakah, and in Jewish tradition, the gifts you give in this way were never truly yours to begin with, they have always belonged to the recipients. And while performing acts of tzedakah can arouse deep joy in the hearts of those who give, they are not to be made carelessly or frivolously. Rather than giving randomly, Ira Riklis is careful to review the credentials of the organizations to which he gives to ensure that his gifts will be used wisely, efficiently and effectively.