Resolution on Helping the Poor in a Recessionary Economy

WHEREAS Jewish tradition teaches “Open your hand [to the poor person] and provide sufficient for the need” (Deut. 15:8), and “Just as God clothed the naked…so too you must supply clothes for the naked [poor]” (Talmud B. Sotah 14a);” and

WHEREAS the burden of the current recession and the aftermath of Sept. 11 falls disproportionately on low income families; and

WHEREAS the safety net for people who have lost their jobs has deteriorated and government income supports are no longer available to many who lost their jobs and fell into poverty due to the current recession; and

Resolution in Support of the Hekhsher Tzedek Initiative

You shall not abuse a needy and destitute laborer, whether a fellow countryman or a stranger…You must pay him his wages on the same day…for he is needy and sets his life on it; else he will cry to God against you and you will incur guilt.  (Deut. 24:14-15)

Keeping the salary of a worker is like taking his/her life, and transgresses five negative commandments and one positive command.  Shulhan Arukh (Hoshen Mishpat 339:2)