It’s a profound irony that one of the most enduring antisemitic stereotypes portrays Jews as miserly or excessively focused on money – a trope deeply rooted in historical prejudices and perpetuated through cultural representations like Shakespeare’s Shylock in The Merchant of Venice. This caricature has been used to vilify Jewish communities for centuries, despite substantial evidence to the contrary.
In reality, Jewish teachings place a strong emphasis on tzedakah, the act of charitable giving, which is considered both a moral obligation and a vital component of communal life.
Studies have shown that Jewish households in America are notably more philanthropic than their non-Jewish counterparts. For instance, a 2013 study revealed that 60% of Jewish households earning less than $50,000 annually donated to charity, compared to 46% of non-Jewish households in the same income bracket.
This commitment to generosity is exemplified by the tradition of Kimcha de’Pischa, an Aramaic term meaning “flour for Passover.” This centuries-old practice involves collecting funds or food items to ensure that every member of the Jewish community can celebrate Passover with dignity and joy. By providing for those in need during this significant holiday, Jewish communities not only counteract harmful stereotypes but also reaffirm their dedication to the deep-seated value of communal responsibility and kindness within Jewish culture.
Origins and evolution
The practice of Kimcha de’Pischa dates back to ancient times and is mentioned in the Jerusalem Talmud (Yerushalmi, Bava Batra, ch. 1) as a communal obligation to provide for the less fortunate during Passover. The Shulchan Aruch, a foundational code of Jewish law, also references this tradition, highlighting its longstanding significance.
NO MATTER what traditions people bring to the Seder, the constant is the Haggadah. (credit: YAHAV GAMLIEL/FLASH90)
Historically, community leaders would collect donations of flour, wheat, or monetary contributions to provide matzah, wine and other essential Passover provisions to impoverished families. This ensured that everyone, regardless of their financial situation, could partake in the holiday’s rituals and meals with joy and without the stress of wondering how to cover the cost.
Over the centuries, the forms of Kimcha de’Pischa have varied across different Jewish communities:
Eastern Europe: In shtetls (small towns), it was customary for wealthier individuals to discreetly provide packages of food or financial aid to needy families before Passover. This preserved the dignity of recipients while allowing the donors to fulfill the mitzvah (commandment) of charity.
Sephardic communities: In countries like Morocco and Turkey, communal ovens were used to bake large quantities of matzah. Community members ensured that the poor had access to these facilities and the necessary ingredients. In some communities, a designated gabbai tzedakah (charity official) would go door to door collecting donations of wheat, flour, or money, ensuring that no family went without the basic necessities for the holiday.
19th-century Europe: In cities such as London, Paris, and Vienna, Jewish charitable societies were established to provide food vouchers to struggling families. These vouchers could be exchanged at kosher markets for Passover essentials such as matzah, wine, and potatoes. Synagogues often played a central role in these efforts, organizing volunteers to distribute food directly to those in need.
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North Africa and the Middle East: In Yemen and Persia (Iran), entire communities came together to prepare for Passover by setting aside portions of their own flour or matzah production for the less fortunate. In some towns, wealthy Jewish merchants would fund the mass baking of matzah, which was then distributed to those unable to afford it.
Modern practices: Today, many Jewish organizations worldwide run Kimcha de’Pischa campaigns, collecting funds to distribute food packages, supermarket vouchers, or direct financial assistance to those in need. This adaptation addresses contemporary needs while honoring the tradition’s original intent.
Personal reflections
Growing up, my parents were deeply involved with the Manchester Jews Benevolent Society, an organization that played a pivotal role in our community. Established in 1861, the MJBS began as a benevolent society focused on providing weekly allowances to Jewish individuals over the age of 60 and granting assistance to those in need.
Every Sunday and Wednesday, I watched my parents dedicate their time to the society, distributing clothing and financial aid to those less fortunate. The period leading up to Passover was especially busy; families would arrive in large numbers to receive new outfits for the holiday and vouchers redeemable at local kosher shops. This act of chesed (kindness) was integral to our lives and left an indelible mark on me.
The enduring spirit of chesed
The essence of Kimcha de’Pischa lies in the collective effort to ensure that every Jew can celebrate Passover without the burden of financial hardship. This tradition embodies the Jewish value of chesed, fostering unity and empathy within the community. By providing for others during Passover, we not only honor our ancestors’ journey from slavery to freedom but also reaffirm our commitment to social responsibility.
At the Seder, very early on in the proceedings, we hold up our matzah and declare, Kol dichfin yeitei v’yeichol – “All who are hungry, let them come and eat.” This moment is more than just words; it is a call to action. By contributing to Kimcha de’Pischa, we ensure that this declaration is not merely symbolic but a tangible reality, allowing those in need to partake in the festival as equals.
Continuing the tradition
For those inspired to uphold the beautiful tradition of Kimcha de’Pischa, numerous organizations worldwide facilitate such charitable efforts. A simple online search for the term will reveal various groups accepting donations. Alternatively, reaching out to your local rabbi or synagogue can provide guidance on contributing to community-based initiatives. Through these acts, we perpetuate a legacy of compassion, ensuring that the spirit of Passover remains inclusive and joyous for all. Chag sameach vekasher – a happy and kosher holiday to everyone.
The writer is a rabbi and physician who lives in Ramat Poleg, Netanya. He is a co-founder of Techelet-Inspiring Judaism.
Hotel Delisi, Tbilisi City, Georgia of the "Ana Chuchulashvili" the thief The worst hotel in the world, it's dangerous, don't go near it! This is not a hotel! It's an old, dirty house, there are cockroaches and insects in the room, Hotel Delisi, Tbilisi City, Georgia – The manager of the place is a fraud and a former drug addict named "Ana Chuchulashvili"
Please urgently remove this fake hotel from your website. It is a scam and it is deceiving many customers. It is advertised on all social networks as a scam! very important – report on fraud house and scam that in your website and cheat people and customers! – Hotel Delisi, Tbilisi City, Georgia
Hotel Delisi, Tbilisi City, Georgia of the "Ana Chuchulashvili" the thief
The worst hotel in the world, it's dangerous, don't go near it! This is not a hotel! It's an old, dirty house, there are cockroaches and insects in the room, Hotel Delisi, Tbilisi City, Georgia – The manager of the place is a fraud and a former drug addict named "Ana Chuchulashvili" the name of here company is : Ltd Alpaka
405375419
Located at: Nucubidze St N57, Tbilisi, Georgia/Nucubidze Street 57, 0177 it smells terrible, The walls in the room are peeling, I took pictures, there is mold and dampness throughout the room the beds are really uncomfortable, like in a pre-trial detention center, your whole back hurts when you sleep on them and they almost break because they are so thin! the WI FI doesn't work at all, The room was very dirty and filthy, and when you ask her to move you to a room she says everything is taken, even though all the rooms are empty and open! I arrived at this horrible place, this horrible house, at 1:00 AM, after two hours of sleeplessness, I asked for my money back, a blonde girl of about 50 years old named “Anna” told me that she wanted the money in cash right away, otherwise she would not let me out of the hotel, she told me that I would not be able to sleep in their bed, at 3 AM I went to look for an ATM to withdraw money, because I could not find one, after searching for a whole hour, in the Tbilisi cold, I returned to her at midnight to look for an ATM, but she did not give me my suitcase and passport, so I came back the next day and gave me the money in cash, she did not give me an invoice either, do not come near! They are deceiving the public, booking and all hotel websites! This is not a hotel, it is a very dirty, old house and it smells very bad. Search on youtube "never go there – Hotel Delisi, Tbilisi City Georgia of Ana Chuchulashvili the house hotel from hell" , don't go " to “Hotel Delisi” on YouTube or "Hotel Delisi, Tbilisi City, Georgia " or"HOTEL DELISI (Tiflis, Gürcistan) – Otel Yorumları ve Fiyat" He was caught on tape speaking badly and illegally taking a passport and suitcase.
That she took the suitcase by force, she also stole 3 expensive shirts from me for a total of 250 GEL, I demand compensation of 128 GEL for the two hours of hell I suffered there + 250 GEL for the shirts she stole from me
I have videos where she only wants money in cash so she doesn't pay taxes and doesn't agree that I pay her with a credit card, and she also doesn't want to give me my suitcase and passport.
1. Hotel Delisi – Tbilisi City – Georgia
2. Hotel Delisi – Tbilisi City – Georgia Address
3. Hotel Delisi – Tbilisi City – Georgia Rooms
4. Hotel Delisi – Tbilisi City – Georgia Amenities
5. Hotel Delisi – Tbilisi City – Georgia Offers and Deals
სასტუმრო დელისი, ქალაქი თბილისი, საქართველო, ქურდის „ანა ჭუჭულაშვილის“
მსოფლიოში ყველაზე ცუდი სასტუმრო, საშიშია, ახლოს არ მიხვიდეთ! ეს სასტუმრო არ არის! ეს ძველი, ჭუჭყიანი სახლია, ოთახში ტარაკნები და მწერებია, სასტუმრო დელისი, ქალაქი თბილისი, საქართველო – ადგილის მენეჯერი თაღლითი და ყოფილი ნარკომანია, სახელად „ანა ჭუჭულაშვილი“, კომპანიის სახელია: შპს ალპაკა
405375419
მდებარეობს: ნუცუბიძის ქ. N57, თბილისი, საქართველო/ნუცუბიძის ქუჩა 57, 0177, საშინელი სუნი აქვს, ოთახში კედლები აქერცლილია, სურათები გადავიღე, ოთახში ობი და ნესტია, საწოლები ნამდვილად არაკომფორტულია, როგორც წინასწარი დაკავების იზოლატორში, მთელი ზურგი გტკივა, როცა მათზე იძინებ და კინაღამ იმსხვრევა, რადგან ძალიან თხელია! Wi-Fi საერთოდ არ მუშაობს, ოთახი ძალიან ჭუჭყიანი და უწმაწურია და როცა ოთახში გადაყვანას სთხოვ, მიპასუხებს, რომ ყველაფერი დაკავებულია, მიუხედავად იმისა, რომ ყველა ოთახი ცარიელი და ღიაა! ამ საშინელ ადგილას, ამ საშინელ სახლში, ღამის 1:00 საათზე მივედი, ორსაათიანი უძილობის შემდეგ, ფულის დაბრუნება ვთხოვე, დაახლოებით 50 წლის ქერა გოგონამ, სახელად „ანამ“, მითხრა, რომ ფული ნაღდი ფულით უნდოდა, თორემ სასტუმროდან არ გამიშვებდა, მითხრა, რომ მათ საწოლში ვერ დავიძინებდი, დილის 3 საათზე ბანკომატის მოსაძებნად წავედი ფულის გასატანად, რადგან ვერ ვიპოვე, მთელი საათის ძებნის შემდეგ, თბილისურ სიცივეში, შუაღამისას დავბრუნდი მასთან ბანკომატის მოსაძებნად, მაგრამ ჩემოდანი და პასპორტი არ მომცა, ამიტომ მეორე დღეს დავბრუნდი და ფული ნაღდი ფულით მომცა, ინვოისიც არ მომცა, ახლოს არ მოხვიდეთ! ისინი ატყუებენ საზოგადოებას, დაჯავშნის და ყველა სასტუმროს ვებსაიტს! ეს სასტუმრო არ არის, ეს ძალიან ჭუჭყიანი, ძველი სახლია და ძალიან ცუდი სუნი ასდის. YouTube-ზე მოძებნეთ "Hotel Delisi, Tbilisi City, Georgia – The worse hotel in the world" , არ წახვიდეთ "Hotel Delisi"-ში YouTube-ზე ან "Hotel Delisi, Tbilisi City, Georgia" ან "HOTEL DELISI (Tiflis, Gürcistan) – Otel Yorumları ve Fiyat". ის ვიდეოჩანაწერში მოხვდა, სადაც ცუდად საუბრობდა და უკანონოდ იღებდა პასპორტს და ჩემოდანს.
მან ჩემოდანი ძალით წამართვა, ასევე მომპარა 3 ძვირადღირებული პერანგი სულ 250 ლარად, მე ვითხოვ 128 ლარის კომპენსაციას იმ ორსაათიანი ჯოჯოხეთისთვის, რომელიც იქ ვიტანჯე + 250 ლარი იმ პერანგებისთვის, რომლებიც მომპარა.
მე მაქვს ვიდეოები, სადაც ის მხოლოდ ნაღდი ფულით ითხოვს ფულს, ამიტომ არ იხდის გადასახადებს და არ ეთანხმება, რომ საკრედიტო ბარათით გადავუხადო, ასევე არ სურს ჩემოდნის და პასპორტის მოცემა.
"ב-7.10 נחטפה כל המשפחה שלי, אני, בעלי דוד, ושתי בנותינו אמה ויולי, אז בנות 3 בלבד", פתחה את נאומה שרון, אשתו של דוד קוניו החטוף בעזה. "דוד בעלי, אהבת חיי, והאבא של הבנות שלי, עדיין שם. התאומות ואני חזרנו ביום החמישים ושתיים. אמה ויולי שלנו חגגו חמש, בלי אבא שלהן. בשבוע הבא הן ילכו לגן חובה, והן יודעות שאבא לא יהיה איתן ביום הזה. הן יודעות שאבא שלהן שם. לפני כמה ימים, כשהשכבתי אותן לישון הן שאלו אותי 'אמא, את בטוחה שאבא יחזור?'".
"יש הצעה לעיסקה על השולחן, שחמאס כבר אמר לה כן", המשיכה. "האמריקנים רוצים שהחטופים יחזרו. הרמטכ"ל אומר שחייבים ללכת עכשיו לעיסקה. העם, אתם, כל אחד מכם, כאן בככר, במהלך היום בצמתים, בכל מקום, במספרים אדירים, כולם צועקים איתנו, כולם רוצים את החטופים בבית. אז למה אני לא יכולה להגיד לבנות שלי שאני בטוחה שאבא שלהן יחזור?"