The Mitzvah of Tzedakah
Giving tzedakah is one of the most emphasized mitzvos in Jewish life, woven into daily routine through the widespread custom of giving coins before lighting Shabbos candles each Friday, before Shacharis each morning, and before reciting certain tefillos throughout the year. Having a designated tzedakah box in the home makes this practice tangible and habitual rather than something requiring a separate decision each time, and many families involve children directly in the mitzvah by having them place coins in the box themselves, building a lifelong habit of giving from an early age.
Silver Tzedakah Boxes
Silver and silver-plated tzedakah boxes bring an elegant, dignified presence to this meaningful mitzvah item, often displayed prominently near the Shabbos candles or in a central spot in the home. These boxes range from classic, simple designs through ornately detailed pieces featuring filigree work, engraved Hebrew text, or sculpted decorative elements. A quality silver pushke is built to last for generations and often becomes a treasured family piece used by children and grandchildren alike.
Decorative and Themed Tzedakah Boxes
Beyond silver, tzedakah boxes come in a wide range of decorative styles, wood, ceramic, painted metal, and themed designs depicting Jerusalem scenes, the Kosel, or other meaningful Jewish imagery. Children's tzedakah boxes are often designed with playful shapes, bright colors, or familiar characters to make the mitzvah feel exciting and engaging for young kids who are just beginning to learn about giving. These more accessible, lower-cost options make it practical to have multiple boxes throughout a home, one for each family member or one in a child's room specifically.
Where to Keep a Tzedakah Box
Many families keep their primary tzedakah box near the spot where Shabbos candles are lit, reinforcing the well-known custom of giving tzedakah immediately before candle lighting each Friday. Others keep a box near the front door, by a child's bed for a bedtime giving routine, or in a home office for regular, easy access throughout the week. Having more than one box in different parts of the home can help reinforce the mitzvah as a regular part of daily life rather than something tied to a single weekly moment.
Tzedakah Boxes as Gifts
A tzedakah box is a meaningful and widely appropriate gift for nearly any occasion, a bar or bas mitzvah, a wedding, a new baby, or simply as a thoughtful present that encourages an ongoing mitzvah rather than a one-time use item. A child's first tzedakah box is a particularly popular gift for an upsherin or a young child's birthday, introducing the mitzvah at an age when habits are just beginning to form. Browse our full upsherin gifts collection for more ideas, or our wedding gifts and Judaica collection for a couple's first home.
Caring for a Silver Tzedakah Box
Polish silver tzedakah boxes periodically with a polish formulated for sterling or plated silver, taking care around any engraved or filigree details where polish residue can collect. Empty the box regularly both to fulfill the mitzvah by actually distributing the tzedakah collected and to prevent the weight of accumulated coins from straining any delicate hinges or closures over time.
Shop More Judaica for Your Home at 1800 Eichlers
A tzedakah box is a meaningful mitzvah item for every Jewish home. 1800 Eichlers carries everything else you need as well.
- Mezuzah scrolls, kosher klaf written by certified sofrim for every doorpost
- Mezuzah cases, silver, wood, and decorative cases to house your kosher scroll
- Figurines, decorative Judaica pieces for shelves and tables throughout the home
- Bris milah, meaningful gifts and Judaica for a baby's bris
- Bar mitzvah gifts, practical and meaningful gifts for a boy turning thirteen
Frequently Asked Questions
When is tzedakah traditionally given at home?
A widespread custom is giving tzedakah just before lighting Shabbos candles each Friday. Many families also give before Shacharis each morning or before reciting certain tefillos throughout the year, making a dedicated box a practical part of daily routine.
What is a good tzedakah box for a child?
Children's tzedakah boxes are often designed with bright colors, playful shapes, or familiar imagery to make the mitzvah feel engaging. These are a popular and meaningful upsherin or birthday gift, helping introduce the habit of giving from an early age.
Should I have more than one tzedakah box in my home?
Many families do, keeping one near the Shabbos candle lighting spot, another by a child's bed, and sometimes one in a home office, reinforcing the mitzvah as a regular part of daily life rather than tied to a single moment each week.
Is a tzedakah box a good bar mitzvah gift?
Yes. A quality tzedakah box is a meaningful gift that encourages an ongoing mitzvah rather than a one-time use item, making it appropriate for a bar mitzvah, a wedding, or any significant milestone. Browse our bar mitzvah gifts collection for more ideas.
How do I clean a silver tzedakah box?
Use a silver polish formulated for sterling or plated silver, applying carefully around any engraved or filigree details. Empty the box regularly, both to fulfill the mitzvah and to prevent the weight of coins from straining the hinges over time.
What should I do with the money collected in a tzedakah box?
The funds should be distributed to tzedakah on a regular basis rather than left to accumulate indefinitely, fulfilling the actual mitzvah rather than just the symbolic act of collection. Many families designate a specific cause or organization in advance.