Charity with an Ulterior Motive Printed with permission from "The Chesed Boomerang" by Jack Doueck www.judaicapress.com According to the Talmud: “If someone says: ‘I give this money to charity that my son may live or that I merit the world to come’ — he is completely righteous in this act”. The same applies whenever one expects, also, to derive some benefit from an act of chesed. His mitzvah is not nullified. It is a praiseworthy act to do chesed, and there is nothing wrong to wish that God grant you a favor or bless you in return. Of course it would be better to perform the mitzvah of chesed expecting nothing in return. “Then, the holy power of the mitzvah which has been performed in the most perfect manner possible will so strongly draw forth the heavenly attribute of chesed that will extend over all created existence” (ibid). Psalms (57:11) reads: “For your chesed is great unto the heavens,” and Psalms (108:5) reads: “For your chesed is great above the heavens”. The Talmud (Pesahim 50b) understands the first verse to apply to people who do mitzvot for some benefit or ulterior motive. The second is for those who do mitzvot, expecting nothing in return. Return to 'Our Tradition' Menu