The Greatest Return on Investment (ROI)
Investors, managers, and executives focus on the ROI of a project or endeavor because this measure indicates how successful a venture is likely to be.
Companies frequently use ROI to evaluate the success of specific projects. For example, if a business owner invests money in an advertising campaign, they would analyze the sales generated by the ad and use that information to determine the ROI. If the revenue generated exceeds the amount spent, the business could consider it an acceptable ROI.
In a broader sense, we constantly make decisions about where to invest our time, resources, and energy to produce the greatest results.
Often, investments that offer the potential for higher returns also carry higher risks. However, there is one type of investment that yields a guaranteed high return with no risk: the investment in Tzedaka.
I use the Hebrew word Tzedaka, rather than charity, because Tzedaka more accurately reflects the true essence of what it represents. Charity suggests performing a kind and generous act, going beyond what is required. In contrast, Tzedaka is derived from the word Tzedek, meaning "righteousness" or doing what is right. When we give Tzedaka, we are fulfilling our responsibility to G-d, who has entrusted us with the proper allocation of wealth.
Sir Moses Montefiore, the great Jewish international diplomat and philanthropist was once asked, “Sir Moses, how much are you worth?” After thinking for a while, Sir Moses named a figure. “But,” said the questioner, “That can't be right. It's a large sum, but not large enough. By my calculation you must be worth 10 times that mount.”
Sir Montefiore gave him a moving and wise response: “You didn't ask me how much I own. You asked me how much I am worth. So, I calculated the amount I have given to charity this year, and that is the figure I gave you. You see, we are worth what we're willing to share with others.”
The Mitzvah of Tzedaka is taught in this week's Torah portion, Re'eh. As the verse states, “If there will be among you a needy person, from one of your brothers in one of your cities, in your land the Lord, your G-d, is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, and you shall not close your hand from your needy brother. Rather, you shall open your hand to him, and you shall lend him sufficient for his needs, which he is lacking.” - Deuteronomy 15:7-8
The Torah instructs us to give at least ten percent of our net income to Tzedakah. We are in essence G-d's bankers who are entrusted to allocate His funds appropriately. When we give ten percent of our earnings to Tzedaka, G-d lets us keep 90 percent commission.
More so, by fulfilling our part, G-d promises much more additional wealth and a high ROI.
The seemingly repetitive term conveys this idea “a tithe shall you tithe” stated in this week's Torah portion (Deuteronomy 14:22). The Talmud interprets this phrase homiletically: "Take a tithe [asser 10%] so that you will become wealthy [titasher], in the merit of the mitzvah." The Hebrew word for tithing shares the same root word for wealth. The Torah conveys to us that by fulfilling the Mitzvah of giving ten percent of our income to Tzedaka we are rewarded with wealth.
Our money seems to represent the most tangible aspects of our lives. It is earned through significant effort, time, brainpower, and emotions. It also allows us to purchase both basic necessities and luxuries, allowing us to live comfortably.
At the same time, money can potentially serve as the most spiritually uplifting resource we own. When we contribute to Tzedaka, we elevate and transform the most material aspects of our lives into something meaningful and purposeful. In fact, the recognition that everything we possess is entrusted to us as a gift from G-d is reflected in the phrase on American currency: "In God we trust."
For this reason, our sages extol the virtue of Tzedakah declaring it equal to all other Mitzvot combined. In the book of the Tanya, the author, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, explains that when we do a Mitzvah like lighting Shabbat candles, putting on Tefillin, affixing a Mezuzah on our doorpost, or honoring our parents, we are elevating one particular aspect of our lives or surroundings. However, when we give Tzedakah, we are elevating and transforming all the physical aspects of our lives that were invested in earning that money.
The Talmud also states that “Giving Tzedakah brings redemption near”. The Messianic redemption will usher in an era when the physical world will be transformed into a beautiful home for G-d. Giving Tzedaka is the most practical and effective way to make that era a daily reality.
Ever since our ancestors Abraham and Sarah introduced the value of Tzedaka to the world almost 4000 years ago, the Jewish people have been at the forefront of philanthropic giving and have served as an inspiration for all nations. As we approach the final moments before the coming of Moshiach, the values and principles of Tzedakah have become an integral part of society at large.
Initiatives such as The Giving Pledge, Giving Tuesday or matching gifts which companies offer to encourage philanthropy among their employees, are just a few examples of how the world has evolved positively. Through our philanthropic giving, we are doing our part in making this transformation a reality.
