Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah 250:1

שולחן ערוך, יורה דעה רנ:א

Original Text:

כמה נותנין לעני, די מחסורו אשר יחסר לו. כיצד, אם היה רעב, יאכילוהו. היה צריך לכסות, יכסוהו. אין לו כלי בית, קונה לו כלי בית...וכן לכל אחד ואחד לפי מה שצריך.

Translation:

How much is it appropriate to give to the poor? ‘Sufficient for his needs in that which he lacks.’ If he is hungry, one must feed him. If he needs clothing, one must clothe him. If he lacks housing utensils, one must provide him with housing utensils… To each person according to what he needs.
[AJWS translation]

Suggested Discussion Questions:

1. What is the extent of this law - how do we gauge how much is enough?
2. What is the minimum amount we are to give?
3. Looking globally, how are we doing?

Time Period:	Medieval (Geonim through the 16th Century)
Type:	Legal Text
Categories:	Tikkun Olam, Trade, Aid & Debt, Hunger, Poverty, Tzedakah
Keywords:	Hunger, Housing
Related Texts:
Related Sourcesheets:	Dei Machsoro, How Are We Obligated to Feed the Hungry?Jewish Texts on Hunger Jewish Hunger Resource

Submitted By

Sarah Margles

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