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What is the traditional amount for a donation?

  

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Rabbi Jacobson: Welcome to Askmoses. How can I be of help today?

Brooklynite: What is the traditional amount of a donation? Is it 18? What does this mean or represent?

Rabbi Jacobson: any amount is fine - however 18 is often given, (that can be 18 hundred, 18 thousand etc) b/c 18 is the numerical value1 of "chai" = life

Brooklynite: OK Thank you so much. My kids are making donations to the tsunami victims and they want to give more than their regular weekly Tzedakah. Thank you

Rabbi Jacobson: no problem. Have a fabulous day. G-d bless you

See also "What is the significance of the number 18"

All names, places, and identifying information have been changed or deleted in order to protect the privacy of the questioners. In order to preserve authenticity, the chat sessions have been posted with a minimum of editing. Please excuse typographical errors, missing punctuation, and/or grammatical mistakes which naturally occur in the course of informal chat sessions.

Footnotes

  • 1. See "What is gematria and how does it work?" . (http://www.askmoses.com/en/article/137,137156/What-is-the-traditional-amount-for-a-donation.html)

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Typical Donation Amount

Posted by: Joey Fox on Nov 01, 2011

Sefardis (Jews of Spanish or Middle Eastern origin) have the tradition of giving donations which are multiples of 26. This is because the numerical value of G-d's name = 26
Tzedakah
"Tzedakah," commonly translated as charity, literally means righteousness, or the right thing to do. Giving to those in need is one of the most important of G-d's commandments.
G-d
It is forbidden to erase or deface the name of G-d. It is therefore customary to insert a dash in middle of G-d's name, allowing us to erase or discard the paper it is written on if necessary.