Posts Tagged ‘giving’
The Real Meaning of Hanukkah
Tuesday, December 15th, 2009
One must wonder what we celebrate. The heroic rebellion of the Hasmoneans? Maybe it is the need to remember that we are not that strong as a people? While some might say that we were forced into the Hellenistic form of living, others might argue that we were easily tempted and maybe today things aren’t all that different…
Online Anonymity has its Roots in the Rabbis
Sunday, December 13th, 2009
In a very interesting way, online anonymity coincides with a very old way of giving in Jewish tradition. The Rabbis placed giving charity in secret (‘Matan Baseter’) as the noblest form of philanthropy. It is not only that the benefactor is not exposed to the giver and therefore does not feel ashamed when receiving the gift; it is also that the giver gains nothing apart from the benefit of a pure act of giving.
