Publicizing Donors

A friend helped me financially. He made no indication that I should keep it private. His family has a Charity Foundation. Can I tell a friend of mine that runs a Yeshiva of the help I received from the person and we should think of how to approach him to receive money for the Yeshiva? As I have not been told by him to keep it private and the fact that they have a charitable foundation, led me to believe that he actually has no problem with being approached for help and even wants that !! But perhaps I should say that the giver wants me to keep private that he helped me as he does not want to be bothered by others for help , etc.. ??

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Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

It is generally permitted to publicize those who give tzedakah as long as they did not imply that they are opposed to you doing so. Indeed, when donor recognition is handled tastefully, it might even encourage others to donate likewise, which is a good thing.

The idea of publicizing tzedakah/charity donations is quite ancient. The Talmud tells us about a “Yosef Ben Yo’ezer” who made a generous donation to the Beit Hamikdash. In fact, the famous “Nicanor Gate” of the Beit Hamikdash was so called in honor of an individual named Nicanor who lived in Alexandria and financed the construction of the gate. Archaeological findings throughout Israel continue to discover all types of donor plaques from ancient synagogues. Indeed, the Talmud states that the names of donors were often engraved directly upon donated synagogue items. 

It is worth mentioning that there is a school of thought, thought not halachically binding, the practice of publicizing the names of donors with the elaborate plaques and inscriptions that are common today is contrary to the spirit of modesty and humility. As King Solomon teaches: “A gift given in secret pacifies anger.” Furthermore, we are taught that one who gives charity in secret is greater than Moshe Rabbeinu. We are also taught that those who give charity for arrogant or haughty motives deserve to go to be punished. For these reasons, there have been halachic authorities in the past who opposed the practice of donor recognition though common custom today is to do so.

Therefore, in your case, in which no indication has been made to keep your gift secret, and the family has a charitable foundation, it is permitted to inform other needy institutions about the foundation in a dignified and respectful manner. The foundation will then decide on their own if they would like to give money to those referred to them.

Bava Batra 9b,10b, 133b; Midot 1:4; Yoma 3:10; Yerushalmi Megilla 3:2;Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 34:13; Shu''t Harashba 1:581; Rema, YD 249:13, 259:3.