Liberality, or generosity, is a virtue highly esteemed in Jewish tradition and is deeply rooted in the teachings of the Hebrew Scriptures. The concept of liberality among the Jews is not merely an act of giving but is seen as a reflection of God's own generosity and a fulfillment of His commandments.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament lays a strong foundation for the practice of liberality. The Law of Moses includes numerous instructions regarding generosity towards the poor, the stranger, and the needy. In Deuteronomy 15:7-8 , it is written: "If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother. Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs."

The principle of liberality is further emphasized in the practice of gleaning, as outlined in Leviticus 19:9-10 : "When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God."

Prophetic Encouragement

The prophets of Israel also called the people to practice justice and generosity. Isaiah 58:6-7 highlights the kind of fasting that pleases God, which includes acts of liberality: "Is not this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?"

Wisdom Literature

The wisdom literature of the Old Testament also extols the virtues of generosity. Proverbs 11:24-25 states, "One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." This passage underscores the belief that liberality leads to divine blessing and personal enrichment.

New Testament Continuation

In the New Testament, the Jewish tradition of liberality is continued and expanded upon by Jesus and the apostles. Jesus Himself, in the Sermon on the Mount, teaches about the importance of giving: "Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you" (Matthew 5:42). The early Christian community, which was predominantly Jewish, practiced communal sharing and generosity, as seen in Acts 2:44-45 : "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need."

Cultural and Historical Context

Historically, the Jewish people have been known for their charitable institutions and acts of kindness. The concept of "tzedakah," often translated as charity, is a fundamental aspect of Jewish life and is considered a mitzvah, or commandment. This practice is not merely an act of kindness but a duty to ensure justice and equity within the community.

In summary, liberality among the Jews is a deeply ingrained value that is consistently reinforced throughout the Scriptures. It is seen as a reflection of God's own generosity and a means of fostering community, justice, and righteousness.Nehemiah 7:71,72
And some of the chief of the fathers gave to the treasure of the work twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand and two hundred pound of silver.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Foundation of the Church among the Jews
... fame of this great wonder soon spread amongst the multitude of foreign Jews who
were ... wants, as if he himself suffered; and so great was the liberality of those ...
/.../blunt/a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter i the foundation of.htm

How Ptolemy the Son of Lagus Took Jerusalem and Judea By
... Nay, there were not a few other Jews who, of their own accord, went into Egypt,
as invited by the goodness of the soil, and by the liberality of Ptolemy. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how ptolemy the.htm

Acts XXIV
... received Portius Festus as a successor; and wishing to do the Jews a favor ... Churches
to the poor, and knowing something, perhaps of the general liberality of the ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xxiv.htm

What Things were done after the Death of Agrippa; and How Claudius ...
... Nay, they were not only unmindful of Agrippa, who had extended his liberality to
them ... men that became the source of very great calamities to the Jews in after ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 what things were.htm

Concerning the Famine that Happened in Judea and Syria; and How ...
... of his, and this seasonable benefaction, had such influence on the Jews, and was ...
reign, had procured him among all the nation, and that this liberality of his ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 concerning the famine.htm

The Conversion of the Jailor of Philippi.
... one of those seditious leaders, who frequently appeared among the Jews, and excited ...
But it is unfair to represent this liberality as the constant character of ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xviii the conversion of.htm

Civ. Jesus Arrives and is Feasted at Bethany.
... and that he kept near Lazarus because these facts emphasized the great miracle which
roused the hatred of the Jews, and caused ... [Thus the liberality of Mary ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/civ jesus arrives and is.htm

2 Cor. vii. 13
... the same things of your own countrymen, even as they did of the Jews." (1 Thess. ...
[3.] "And their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.". ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xvi 2 cor vii.htm

Concerning Silas and on what Account it was that King Agrippa was ...
... and every one perceived that he was more friendly to the Greeks than to the Jews;
for he ... He was humane to foreigners, and made them sensible of his liberality. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 concerning silas and.htm

From the Ascension to the Church at Antioch.
... steps of Jesus who had also met with success and introduced his teachings before
going outside to those in no wise akin to the Jews. ... 4) The liberality of these ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xix from the ascension.htm

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