Charity and Tithing by Noahides

[Director Michael]

By the Grace of G-d

For a Noahide who is in debt, paying interest to banks, wrapped in debt, struggling to pay monthly bills, etc ... may this be an "excuse" to not give tsedaka/charity, only for a certain period of course?
I ask this based on the life of a widow who goes through this, who has two daughters, who sometimes considers to stop giving tsedaka/charity.
I was reading this forum thread on this subject. That discussion made me think ... I desire to act properly, since I am teaching her the Nohide path.

Yes, those financial troubles may be a valid excuse for a Noahide to *reduce* the amount of tsedaka/charity that is being given, because it is necessary to pay monthly bills, pay off loans, and provide for the needs of the children, and not go farther into debt.

But in consideration of the good deed of proper tsedaka/charity, which G-d is trustworthy to repay and reward, and along with repentance it also atones for sins, it is not wise to completely stop giving proper tsedaka/charity. Even setting aside (in a charity box or a charity can) just one or two small coins in a day for tsedaká (without a vow) counts as a good deed, and it brings more of G-d's blessings to the person.

[Noahide Q]

I would like to know if it is meritorious for a Gentile to donate to Jewish organisations that are attempting outreach to Jews to bring them back to Orthodox Judaism?

The Jewish people returning to Torah in greater numbers will bring great benefits to mankind and assist the redemption of the whole world.

Can a Gentile have a share in the spiritual reward of Jews returning to Judaism based on kiruv efforts that were at least partially funded by them?

Thanks for your time
God bless you

[Director Michael]

B"H. Thank you for your good wishes, and for your interest in donating to that effort. As taught by Rambam (Maimonides) in Laws of Kings, end of Chapter 10, a more correct option (and therefore one with greater merit for the donor) than the one you mentioned is for a Gentile to donate to Orthodox Jewish organizations for the express purpose of providing "kosher" physical assistance (food, clothing, etc.) to Jews who are suffering from poverty. For example, there are many poor Jews in Israel who depend on charity for their physical survival. One such organization is Colel Chabad:

http://www.colelchabad.org/

On the other hand, it is an actual obligation within the Noahide Code for Gentiles to encourage other Gentiles to take upon themselves observance of the 7 Noahide Commandments. And when Gentiles accept this observance in greater numbers as a result of this encouragement, it will bring great practical and spiritual benefits to mankind and hasten the redemption of the whole world, may it happen very speedily.

Therefore it is very meritorious for Gentiles to donate to organizations that are doing correct Torah-based outreach to Gentiles for observance of the Noahide Commandments and recognition that this is the will of the One True G-d for mankind.

By providing this assistance, Gentiles will have a share in the spiritual reward for the 7-Laws outreach efforts that are (at least partially) funded by them. See, for example, the last paragraph of the following letter from Rabbi J. Immanuel Schochet o.b.m., where he says that providing support for these efforts is an "immeasurably great 'zechut' [merit]":

https://asknoah.org/wp-content/uploads/l...hochet.pdf

At the same time, a Gentile should not overlook the merit and necessity of helping his fellow Gentiles who are in need.