The Origins of Organized Charity in Rabbinic Judaism

This book examines the origins of communal and institutional almsgiving in rabbinic Judaism.

Gregg E. Gardner (Author)

9781107095434, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 4 June 2015

252 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.7 cm, 0.5 kg

'The Origins of Organized Charity in Rabbinic Judaism argues that the early rabbis, the Tannaim, developed a system of organized charity that, while in conversation with their contemporary world, is uniquely their own. Well-written and employing lucid prose, this groundbreaking book unfolds in a cogent, logical order. Gardner interacts with both classic and modern scholarship on rabbinic Judaism. This, of course, is to be expected. What is of most interest is his deft use of modern quotes and theory from other disciplines (anthropology, material culture, social history, and economics), which makes this volume much more usable beyond the audience of a specialist on rabbinic Judaism or ancient Mediterranean religions. This book will appeal both to specialists in any of these fields and to an educated general audience interested in the topic. It will also be suitable for courses on charity and economy in the ancient world or on various rabbinic topics.' Jordan D. Rosenblum, University of Wisconsin, Madison

This book examines the origins of communal and institutional almsgiving in rabbinic Judaism. It undertakes a close reading of foundational rabbinic texts (Mishnah, Tosefta, Tannaitic Midrashim) and places their discourses on organized giving in their second to third century CE contexts. Gregg E. Gardner finds that Tannaim promoted giving through the soup kitchen (tamhui) and charity fund (quppa), which enabled anonymous and collective support for the poor. This protected the dignity of the poor and provided an alternative to begging, which benefited the community as a whole - poor and non-poor alike. By contrast, later Jewish and Christian writings (from the fourth to fifth centuries) would see organized charity as a means to promote their own religious authority. This book contributes to the study of Jews and Judaism, history of religions, biblical studies, and ethics.

1. Introduction
2. The poor and poverty in Roman Palestine
3. From vessels to institutions
4. Tamhui, the soup kitchen
5. Quppa, the charity fund
6. Charity with dignity
7. The charity supervisor
8. Conclusion: after the Tannaim.

Subject Areas: Economics [KC], Anthropology [JHM], Jewish studies [JFSR1], Judaism [HRJ], Biblical studies & exegesis [HRCG], Christianity [HRC], History of religion [HRAX], Religion & beliefs [HR], Ethics & moral philosophy [HPQ], Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA]