THE TZADAKAH JAR

In keeping with the tradition of giving Tzadakah (charity) before lighting the Shabbat candles on Erev Shabbat (Shabbat eve = Friday night). I made this special Tzadakah jar. I picked out a nice glass jar from the recycling and first removed the sticky label goop with rubbing alcohol. I used a special ceramic/glass paint from Michaels's craft store (some ceramic paint you have to bake in the oven to cure but this kind was just the air dry version.

On facing sides I painted
 a tree, reminding us of the tree of life in the garden of Eden, Torah: being a tree of life, the righteous are liken to as a tree planted by a stream of water etc. Around the top I wrote the word "Tzadakah" both in hebrew and transliterated.

Before lighting the Shabbat candles everyone drops a few coins into the jar and we bless the L-rd for the mitzvah

"Blessed art thou, Lord our God, King of the universe, who sactifies us with Your commandments, and commanded us about the Tzedakah."

At the end of the year it is donated to a charity, traditionally one in Eretz Y'israel (the land of Israel).

NOTE **This is not meant to be the only charity given throughout the year.