DEUT753 While charitable giving in today's world is associated with many causes, including donations to museums, orchestras, and universities, tzedaka in the Bible refers exclusively to help extended to the poor. The Torah ordains both a positive and negative command: When confronted by a person in need, "You shall open, yes, open your hand to him" and not "harden your heart nor shut your hand against your needy brother" [this verse and previous].