GIVING AS RECEIVING

בס”ד

A THOUGHT ABOUT PARSHAT TERUMAH 5786

Charity, Intention, and the Path of Bnei Noach

In Parashat Terumah, G-d commands something unusual:
“They shall take for Me a donation” (Exodus 25:2).

The Torah does not say “give,” but “take.” This reversal reveals a profound truth about the spiritual nature of charity.

Charity and Bnei Noach: Rambam and Ramban

Among the classical Jewish sages, two approaches explain the role of charity for Bnei Noach:

• Rambam (Maimonides) teaches that charity is not an explicit obligation within the Seven Noahide Laws. However, he strongly encourages it as a rational and moral responsibility, modeled after Abraham, who taught his household to pursue “charity and justice” (Genesis 18:19; Mishneh Torah, Laws of Kings 10:10).
• Ramban (Nachmanides) holds that tzedakah does apply to Bnei Noach. He explains that although charity is not explicitly listed among the Seven Noahide Laws, this is because those laws are mainly prohibitions, while tzedakah is a positive moral duty. According to the Ramban, this obligation can be derived either as part of Dinim, the requirement to establish a just society (Ramban on Genesis 34:13), or as a rational moral responsibility inherent to human conduct (Ramban on Genesis 6:13). This approach is also discussed in Likutei Sichot, vol. 5, p. 1413.

Regardless of the approach, both agree on one point:
a society that ignores the poor and vulnerable cannot endure, as illustrated by the destruction of Sodom.

“They Shall Take for Me a Donation”

The commentator Alshich explains that when a simple person gives a gift to someone of great importance, the giver is actually considered the recipient. Why? Because having one’s gift accepted grants honor and spiritual elevation.

This is why the Torah says, “they shall take for Me a donation.”
When G-d accepts our gift, we receive far more than we give.

We give something physical.
G-d gives meaning, closeness, and spiritual merit.

Ruth and Boaz: Who Gave to Whom?

This idea is beautifully illustrated in the story of Ruth and Boaz. When Ruth returns to Naomi, she says:

“The name of the man for whom I did today is Boaz” (Ruth 2:19).

She does not say, “who helped me.”
The Sages learn from this that the recipient of charity does more for the giver than the giver does for the recipient.

Boaz provided food.
Ruth gave him spiritual elevation and merit.

The Importance of Proper Intention

For Bnei Noach, charity should never be given:

• for honor or recognition
• out of guilt
• to gain power or control
• to receive praise or blessings in return

True charity is given:

• because G-d asks us to
• because we want to help build a just and moral world
• without personal gain

When all self-interest is removed, giving becomes pure.

The True Recipient

When charity is given with the right intention, something remarkable happens:

• We think we are giving
• But in truth, we are receiving

We receive:

• G-d’s love
• Divine grace
• inner refinement
• spiritual protection

Just as with the Mishkan:
The people gave gold and silver—
and received the extraordinary gift of G-d dwelling among them.

Conclusion

Charity is not a transaction.
It is a relationship with G-d.

For Bnei Noach, giving is a way to:

• walk in G-d’s ways
• help create a just and compassionate world
• elevate the soul

When we give solely because G-d asks us to,
we are no longer merely givers—
we become the true recipients.

By Angelique Sijbolts
With thanks to Rabbi Tani Burton for the feedback

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