On Giving to the Poor

NEW YORK, December 13, 2006 (commonwealmagazine.org): Naomi Kritzer writes for Commonweal Magazine on the Jewish and Christian traditions of giving to the needy – The Jewish tradition acknowledges the issue of the person who asks for help deceptively, and the Talmud offers various pieces of advice on the subject. The medieval Jewish philosopher Maimonides (1135-1204), like several other sages, suggested that if in doubt, immediate needs (such as food) must be met, but if someone is asking for less critical needs (such as clothing), you can first investigate to see if the person is being honest (Hilkhot Matnot Aniyim 7.6). …….. Christian texts have remarkably little to say about the merit of charitable recipients. The focus is on the person who gives, and the effect of giving on the giver.

Full story and Source

Thanks to Tim Williams, CM for drawing attention to this.