To follow on to your point, as it relates to my personal views, (in case anyone is interested,) it’s worth quoting the code of Jewish law. It introduces its discussion of Tzedakah by asking how much one is required to give. “The amount, if one has sufficient ability, is giving enough to fulfill the needs of the poor. But if you do not have enough, the most praiseworthy version is to give one fifth, the normal amount is to give a tenth, and less than that is a poor sign.” And I note that this was written in the 1500s, where local charity was the majority of what was practical; today’s situation is one where the needs are clearly beyond any one person’s ability—so the latter clauses are the relevant ones.
So I think that, in a religion that prides itself on exacting standards and exhaustive rules for the performance of mitzvot, this is endorsing exactly your point: while giving might be a standard, and norms and community behavior is helpful in guiding behavior, the amount to give is always a personal and pragmatic decision, not a general rule.
To follow on to your point, as it relates to my personal views, (in case anyone is interested,) it’s worth quoting the code of Jewish law. It introduces its discussion of Tzedakah by asking how much one is required to give. “The amount, if one has sufficient ability, is giving enough to fulfill the needs of the poor. But if you do not have enough, the most praiseworthy version is to give one fifth, the normal amount is to give a tenth, and less than that is a poor sign.” And I note that this was written in the 1500s, where local charity was the majority of what was practical; today’s situation is one where the needs are clearly beyond any one person’s ability—so the latter clauses are the relevant ones.
So I think that, in a religion that prides itself on exacting standards and exhaustive rules for the performance of mitzvot, this is endorsing exactly your point: while giving might be a standard, and norms and community behavior is helpful in guiding behavior, the amount to give is always a personal and pragmatic decision, not a general rule.