Small tidbits and Sparks of wisdom

1 – Ma’aser to the Kehillah
If every truly wealthy Jew gave ma’aser kesafim faithfully, directing those funds to rabbanim and kehillos for public needs, the communal budget would be solid and capable of meeting real demands.

2 – Full Family Responsibility
Halacha obligates a person to first provide for himself, then his parents, children, and extended relatives. If every financially secure family covered the needs of their own — without pushing that burden onto communal tzedakah — the number of people dependent on public funds would shrink drastically.

3 – The Working Majority
Most people already earn their livelihood. Only a small percentage need general assistance. When Steps 1 and 2 are applied, the remaining few — such as gerim or those without relatives — can be fully cared for through communal funds.

4 – The Common Mistake About Charity
Many mistakenly believe that providing for one’s family, children, and relatives is an act of tzedakah. It is not. It is an obligation — just like feeding yourself. You do not measure percentages when meeting your own needs, and you should not do so with your close family.
Percentages like 10% (ma’aser) or 20% (chomesh) apply only to communal giving — money given to responsible rabbanim and leaders for the truly poor. These funds are not meant to support lavish lifestyles, but to maintain a modest, dignified standard consistent with the ways of the Torah.
If every person treated his family as himself — and then gave generously to responsible community leaders — there would be no need for endless emergency fundraisers and “crisis” campaigns.

Proven Models
The Persian and Syrian frum communities have shown this system works. Wealthy members take relatives into their businesses, help them start their own, or support them if they are learning Torah. They also give heavily to rabbanim who oversee tzedakah for those truly without means or family. The result: strong, united, self-reliant kehillos with little to no systemic poverty.