tithing?

[D.W.]

Shalom,

My wife and I quit tithing years ago also, now we keep money in a charity Box and when someone in need comes along we find a way to get them that money.

G-d Bless,
Dan

 

[Sephania]

What do others do? I believe in not supporting a building, that should be an offering should'nt it? How are Orthodox synagogues run? Who pays and how are the bills paid?

 

[Talmidah]

I don't belong to an Orthodox synagogue, so I can't say for sure. At my synagogue, there is a membership fee. If a person cannot afford it, arrangements are made (in other words, no one would be denied membership due to finances). This pays for the bulk of the salaries, bills, etc. Throughout the year, special activities are planned by various groups (Sisterhood, Religious school, etc) and these serve as sort of 'fundraisers' for those particular groups. Of course at any time, people may give money to whatever fund they feel led to. I hope this is all coherent...I'm on a break at work and my time's up so I've got to get going and went through this kind of quickly.

 

[Mikhael]

The only reason I'm posting here is because there are those on this list that are subscribed to this thread and will see it pop up in their UserCP and may miss it otherwise.

I am that "Rabbi" friend of Simchat Torah. I've started a thread, at one's request, so you can take a look at what my research had brought me.

You can find it here:
http://www.christianforums.com/t702149


Be Well,
Mikha'el

 

[Mikhael]

What do others do? I believe in not supporting a building, that should be an offering should'nt it? How are Orthodox synagogues run? Who pays and how are the bills paid?

An Orthodox shul also runs on the dues system. It is my understanding that all forms of Judaism do. I've only been involved with Orthodox and Conservative shuls, so I can't speak authoritatively about them. I have heard that they do as well though.

The whole dues system is also based in Torah. In the times of Moses when the Tabernacle was erected, the only expense it had for running was the oil for the Menorah. In Numbers 24:1 it shows how the upkeep of the Temple was the responsibility of the congregation of Isreal. That is also seen with the whole Temple Tax. Today's synagogue dues system is very similar to the Temple tax. It doesn't matter what you make, the dues are flat rates so that nobody can say, I give more so I should have a stronger vote. It levels the playing field which is what the Temple Tax was as well.

be Well,
Mikha'el

 

[blessed2]

My Spiritual Family,
I noticed the Mikha'el has a wealth of posts concerning this subject today and I have a lot of reading to do. lol
Thank you so much. All of you took such effort to contact him and such time in following through on this. I am always so grateful to you all. The closest "word" I can find to describe the feelings of my heart toward you is that you are so "wonderful" to me.

 

[Sephania]

I found a site that addresses this subject from a Messianic POV

Messianic Money Matters

Shalom
Z-