Rory's Blog: This little box, like a savings box, is called A Pushka.

This little box, like a savings box, is called A Pushka. Pushka is a Yiddish word and it basically means ‘little box’.

Not being Jewish myself, but having an interest in Judaism, I was fascinated by this little box when I saw it for sale in a Jewish religious shop in Manchester about five years ago. I asked what it was and what it was meant for. And the story is fabulous.

It seems that every Jewish home has a Pushka. Every day the people in the house will drop some loose change into it. When it’s full all the money collected goes to a good cause, whichever the family chooses. In Judaism your hand becomes a giving hand when you put money in the Pushka every day. Giving becomes part of your daily life.

In Judaism giving to a good cause is not seen as charity. And that’s because while charity is regarded positively, there’s no obligation to do so. In Judaism the Jewish people are obligated to fulfilling the mitzvah (commandment) of tzedakah, righteousness. In Judaism it is an obligation to give to a worthy cause.

The concept of giving in Judaism is concern for the dignity of the recipient. And nobody should be made ashamed or beholden to receive help if they need it. The hope is that the person receiving help will become self-sufficient. And one has to be very careful about where the money goes. You can’t just give it to a person or organisation without checking first that the money is going to be used wisely and efficiently. So you need to check that the money isn’t going to be swallowed up in high admin costs or not end up going where it should go.

When I heard the story and the meaning behind the Pushka I bought the box and it’s placed in a prominent place in my house. Every night I put some loose change in it. And visitors notice it and ask what it is and sometimes they’ll drop some loose change into it. And when it’s full, like it is now, I bag the money and give it to , what I consider to be, a worthy cause.

I think every home should have its own version of a Pushka. Any box will do. And everyday put some loose change in it. That way we all become giving people, rather than just people giving occasionally.