GEN1286 Offer donations at vulnerable and dangerous times.   The Talmud teaches that “people on their way to perform a mitzvah will not be harmed, either on the way there, or on the way back” Pesachim 8b.   Based on this text, a long-standing custom exists to give a sum of money to anyone embarking on a long trip, to be dispensed as charity upon arrival at her destination.   The amount is generally modest – often only several dollars – and is usually donated to beggars. Such a gift is commonly called by the Hebrew/Yiddish term shaliach mitzvah gelt (“money for a messenger to perform a commandment”). Widely practiced by traditional Jews, this custom is little known among non-observant Jews, but it should be adopted.   As well as acting as a shield to protect travelers, as the Talmud promises, it also elevates family and business trips.   The traveler has to spend at least a few minutes thinking about how to distribute this money, and then spend time locating a person or cause to give it to.  While this custom originally involved only giving money to Jewish travelers, spreading the word to non-Jews (both by telling them about it and giving them funds to disperse) would be a contribution of Jewish ethical practices to the world.  TELVOL 2:216