An important concept and mitzvah in Jewish life is tzedakah, a word which literally means “justice” but is often translated at “charity.” People often translate “tzedakah” as “charity” because it is convenient, but when analyzing the true meaning of tzedakah, the profound differences between Jewish and everyday concepts of giving money to the poor become apparent.
The word “charity” implies kindness. If I feel sorry for someone on the street, I may give him a quarter. It is very nice of me to do this, and the fact that it is a nice thing to do implies that I don’t have to do it. Just as when people receive an unexpected gift, they often say “You shouldn’t have” or “You didn’t have to do that,” so charity indicates that a person could have easily chosen to do otherwise and to keep the money, and they would have still been morally correct. The concept of “charity” is like an extra gift, something that is bonus to general good behavior.
Tzedaka, on the other hand, means “justice.” Not to give tzedaka is an act of injustice. The Jewish concept of giving money to the needy is a moral imperative, and it necessary to life. Also, the notion that tzedaka is justice implies that the money set aside for the needy does not belong to the person who makes the money, but the needy person. Tzedakah is not a gift, but is actually giving someone their due, returning money that belongs to another person. The ten-percent a Jew is required to give from his wages does not belong to him, but to the person he is giving it to. By giving tzedakah, the person is performing an act of justice which is essential as obeying the law.
This is not to imply that the giving of tzedaka should be an automatic act, like stopping at a traffic light, and devoid of personal feeling. On the contrary, to give graciously adds to the mitzvah and makes it more powerful. But the feeling should not be the only component, since it may remain a mere intention; the act is what is essential.