Day 7: Making giving count

א  מִקֵּץ שֶׁבַע-שָׁנִים, תַּעֲשֶׂה שְׁמִטָּה.	1 At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release.
ב  וְזֶה, דְּבַר הַשְּׁמִטָּה--שָׁמוֹט כָּל-בַּעַל מַשֵּׁה יָדוֹ, אֲשֶׁר יַשֶּׁה בְּרֵעֵהוּ:  לֹא-יִגֹּשׂ אֶת-רֵעֵהוּ וְאֶת-אָחִיו, כִּי-קָרָא שְׁמִטָּה לַיהוָה.	2 And this is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release that which he hath lent unto his neighbour; he shall not exact it of his neighbour and his brother; because the LORD'S release hath been proclaimed.

 (Deutereonomy 15)

100 years ago Chanukah was not the festival of presents, although small gifts of money were given (originally to teachers, and then to children) which then became todays chocolate Chanukah Gelt. Money was central to Shmita as well, with debts being forgiven (as above) and can be seen as a core Jewish value. Perhaps this Chanukah you could give a gift of an investment? Many charities such as Tzedek offer micro grants or key gifts such as goats that allow a business to be built and a family to work themselves out of poverty. How can we give at Chanukah that will make a difference beyond our selves, and share resources where they are most needed?