Whereas the Torah (Deut. 15:8) enjoins us to provide for the basic needs of the poor (de mahsoro);
Whereas Jewish tradition has always valued work for bringing dignity to the worker, as the Talmud (Nedarim 49b) says, “Great is work, for it honors the workers;”
Whereas the Welfare Reform Act of 1996 profoundly changed the structures within American government and society for meeting the needs of the poor and supporting them while they find work;
Whereas Jewish tradition has long taught that it is the community’s responsibility to provide for its poor, as Lev. 25:35 teaches, “If your brother, being in straits, comes under your authority, you shall strengthen him;”
Whereas Jewish communities always provided for their poor, as Maimonides teaches, “We have never seen nor heard of an Israelite community that does not have a charity fund;”
Whereas the number of people receiving welfare increased in more than ¾ of the states during the last quarter of 2002;
Background:
We, members of the Rabbinical Assembly, are heirs to traditions that ingrain in us an “aggressive attitude toward improving life,” exemplified in Pirkei Avot 2:20-1 “Rabbi Tarfon taught: The day is short, the task is great. You are not obliged to finish the task, but neither are you free to neglect it.”* Over the years the Rabbinical Assembly has adopted stances via resolutions passed at annual conventions on a wide variety of social issues.