"Yesodei HaTzedakah" a Hebrew sefer exploring the Foundations of the Mitzvah of Tzedakah by Rabbi Menachem Kasdan.

This is a new and unique sefer that was published in February, 2009. "Yesodei HaTzedakah" explores the Mitzvah of Tzedakah and discusses with unprecedented depth a myriad of interesting questions and themes. Among the topics discussed in the sefer:

* Is there a Mitzvah of Tzedakah to other than poor people? (For instance, would you consider a donation to a Shul a fulfillment of the Mitzvah of Tzedakah?)

* Does the Tzedakah Mitzvah obligate us to support a poor man's Mitzvah needs -– e.g. funding his child's Yeshiva tuition or buying him a mezuzah if he can't afford one -– or only his physical needs?

* When must you give a substantial amount to Tzedakah, and when does giving a small amount suffice?

* Do you fulfill your mitzvah obligation if you were deceived? (For example, if you vowed to give a certain amount of money to Tzedakah and, thinking you were giving it to a poor person, you discovered that you had given it to a charlatan, must you now give a similar amount to a legitimately poor man or, since you had given in good faith, have you already fulfilled your obligation?)

* Why is there no Bracha made on Tzedakah?

* Must one have Kavanah to fulfill the Mitzvah of Tzedakah?

* What does Tzedakah Lishmah mean -- in the realms of Halacha, Drush and Sod?

Written by Rabbi Menachem Kasdan (brother to JLaw.com's founder) of Bayit Vegan, Jerusalem, this one-of-a-kind sefer includes 633 pages of detailed and well-sourced material. Gil Student (of the Hirhurim blog, hirhurim.blogspot.com) calls it a "fascinating book that is rich in a wide variety of material". Indeed, from Rishonim through Achronim, Torah She'bechsav through Torah She'b'al Peh, "Yesodei HaTzedakah" does not leave a stone unturned (or, very few!) on the topic of Tzedakah, delving into never-before-dealt-with facets of the Mitzvah -- chiddushim abound! A masterpiece in its own right, all readers and learners will find an interest in this must-have sefer.

Hardcover