XPost: soc.culture.jewish, soc.culture.iranian, alt.religion   
   XPost: alt.politics.usa   
   From: Honesty_truth@Wisdom.net   
      
   All you have shown here is Jews contribute much more to charity then   
   non-Jews.   
      
   Clearly their are many reasons but one that I am sure you will agree with   
   me is giving to the poor is an obligation in Judaism, a duty that cannot be   
   forsaken even by those who are themselves in need. Some sages have said   
   that tzedakah is the highest of all commandments, equal to all of them   
   combined, and that a person who does not perform tzedakah is equivalent to   
   an idol worshipper. This is probably hyperbole, but it illustrates the   
   importance of tzedakah in Jewish thought. Tzedakah is one of the three acts   
   that gain us forgiveness from our sins. The High Holiday liturgy repeatedly   
   states that G-d has inscribed a judgment against all who have sinned, but   
   teshuvah (repentance), tefilah (prayer) and tzedakah can alleviate the   
   decree. See Days of Awe.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)