HOME | CONTACT US | DONATE LoginLOGIN Ask the RabbiASK THE RABBI
Chabad.org - Torah, Judaism and Jewish Info Mitzvahs & Traditions
 
Chabad.org » Mitzvahs & Traditions » Charity » Q&A » What is the reason giving money in multiples of 18?








PrintSend this page to a friendShare this
Comment6 Comments

What is the reason for the custom to give money gifts in multiples of 18 -- 18, 36, 54, etc.?


By Chani Benjaminson

Eighteen is the numerical value of the Hebrew word "chai" which means "life." It is a Jewish custom to give monetary gifts in increments of 18, thus symbolically blessing the recipient of the gift with a good long life.

When giving charity, the number 18 has another significance. It expresses our prayer that the merit of the charity given stand in our good stead, that we blessed with life and prosperity.

Chani Benjaminson
Chabad.org
PrintSend this page to a friendShare this
Comment6 Comments

By Chani Benjaminson   More articles...  |   RSS Listing of Newest Articles by this Author
Chani Benjaminson is co-director of Chabad of the South Coast, coordinator of Chabad.org's Ask the Rabbi and Feedback department and is a member of the editorial staff of Chabad.org

The content on this page is copyrighted by the author, publisher and/or Chabad.org, and is produced by Chabad.org. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further, provided that you comply with the copyright policy.
 

Reader Comments
Latest Comments:
Posted: Dec 1, 2011
monatery gift
When did the monetary gift start and why?
Posted By James, Keremeous, Canada

Posted: Sep 23, 2009
Gift for baby
Yes, you can give monetary gifts in multiples of eighteen but it's not a must, you can give clothes, Jewish themed toys etc as well..
Posted By Chani Benjaminson, chabad.org

Posted: Sep 17, 2009
Gift when a baby is born
What is the appropriate gift to give when a baby is born? Do you give a money gift in multiples of eighteen?
Posted By Anonymous, NY, NY

Posted: Dec 5, 2008
amount for memorial
Interestingly, multiples of 18 are appropriate even in this case, it is a core Jewish belief that the earthly end of a life does not represent the end, the soul continues to live on. When friends and family of the deceased perform good deeds in a deceased person's merit they help the soul on its journey on High and help perpetuate his/her life on earth. Hence, donating in multiples of 18 is still very much appropriate, although of course one can donate any amount one wishes.
Posted By Chani Benjaminson, chabad.org

Posted: Dec 4, 2008
money gifts
What is the approriate amount to give to a memorial fund in the name of one who has departed this world? In other words, if 18 means "life" then would it not be considered odd to send this amount?
Posted By Anonymous, NY, NY

Posted: Oct 3, 2008
Thank you
Thank you for posting that question & subsequent answer. We are attending a jewish wedding tomorrow evening and I vaguely remember someone telling me that, however I couldn't remember the number to use. Thanks again
Posted By Gentile Beth from NJ, Lumberton, NJ



 


Q&A
What if a charity I donated to turns out to be fake?
Is it appropriate to give charity at night?
Giving Charity While in a Difficult Financial Situation
Why is Charity the Greatest Mitzvah?
Isn't it More Important to Feed the Hungry?
People Knocking on my Door
What is the reason giving money in multiples of 18?
Why do some give a coin to a traveler?
How Much Help Do I Have To Give?
Why are you always asking for money?
Is Haiti a Jewish Cause?

Follow Us:   Find Us On Facebook Follow Us on Twitter RSS Feeds

Chabad.org is a division of the Chabad-Lubavitch Media Center · Under the auspices of the Lubavitch World Headquarters
In everlasting memory of our founder, Rabbi Yosef Y. Kazen, pioneer of Torah, Judaism and Jewish information on the web
© 2001-2012 Chabad-Lubavitch Media Center