So I'm thinking of starting a Do-Not-Schnor List (like a do-not-call list, but for schnorers who go house to house and ask for money) for the Baltimore area because it's getting a little ridiculous.
Last night, at 9 pm, my doorbell rang. For some reason I did not process that it was probably a schnorer, so I peaked through the peephole and - for some inexplicable reason - opened the door. On the other side was a man with a beard who spoke to me in Hebrew and explained that he was collecting money. I gave him my "I'm sorry, but I don't give at the door" and he turned on the whole Jewish guilt thing (if Moshe rabbeinu came to your door asking for money, would you refuse him?). I resisted the temptation to give him some money and he offered to give me an envelope so that I could send money to him. I accepted this envelope and was relieved that I did not give him the cash. The important cause was for a Kolel organization in Israel...
The theory of how the schnorers found our house is twofold. One is that, because we are listed in the local Jewish phone book (The Eruv List) we are also on the lists of every schnorer that shows up in the city to collect for their "just" cause. As well, the previous owner of our home seems to have been rather generous to previous schnorers, so many are returning in the hopes of getting more money. Both theories are probably true.
I have discussed this matter with many of my Baltimore friends and most of them accept the reality of the schnorers. I, however, am not comfortable with the idea, and I think I've figured out why:
First, when I was a kid and the schnorers used to come to my house, I was told to answer the door and tell the schnorers that my parents weren't t home or that they were busy. That was model upon which I was raised, and it's stuck with me. To be sure, my parents gave a lot of money to charity --- it was just the door-to-doors that they rebuffed.
Second, I attended a Yeshiva for high school and my education was far from stellar. I generally reject what I was taught, especially the idea that sitting and learning is an ideal and that if you do get a job, paying for someone to learn was the next best thing. I also dislike rabbi-looking people (until I get to know them).
Finally, I do not earn a lot of money and I realize that I, too, could benefit from as many handouts as possible. I give a set amount of charity to organizations that I support and don't have a lot left over for schnorers.
When someone knocks on my door asking for a handout, all of these emotions pass through my mind.
And I know that some of you are judging me, and I get it. Still, I would prefer if total strangers (even a fellow "yid") didn't come up to my door and ask for money. It's weird.
Last night, at 9 pm, my doorbell rang. For some reason I did not process that it was probably a schnorer, so I peaked through the peephole and - for some inexplicable reason - opened the door. On the other side was a man with a beard who spoke to me in Hebrew and explained that he was collecting money. I gave him my "I'm sorry, but I don't give at the door" and he turned on the whole Jewish guilt thing (if Moshe rabbeinu came to your door asking for money, would you refuse him?). I resisted the temptation to give him some money and he offered to give me an envelope so that I could send money to him. I accepted this envelope and was relieved that I did not give him the cash. The important cause was for a Kolel organization in Israel...
The theory of how the schnorers found our house is twofold. One is that, because we are listed in the local Jewish phone book (The Eruv List) we are also on the lists of every schnorer that shows up in the city to collect for their "just" cause. As well, the previous owner of our home seems to have been rather generous to previous schnorers, so many are returning in the hopes of getting more money. Both theories are probably true.
I have discussed this matter with many of my Baltimore friends and most of them accept the reality of the schnorers. I, however, am not comfortable with the idea, and I think I've figured out why:
First, when I was a kid and the schnorers used to come to my house, I was told to answer the door and tell the schnorers that my parents weren't t home or that they were busy. That was model upon which I was raised, and it's stuck with me. To be sure, my parents gave a lot of money to charity --- it was just the door-to-doors that they rebuffed.
Second, I attended a Yeshiva for high school and my education was far from stellar. I generally reject what I was taught, especially the idea that sitting and learning is an ideal and that if you do get a job, paying for someone to learn was the next best thing. I also dislike rabbi-looking people (until I get to know them).
Finally, I do not earn a lot of money and I realize that I, too, could benefit from as many handouts as possible. I give a set amount of charity to organizations that I support and don't have a lot left over for schnorers.
When someone knocks on my door asking for a handout, all of these emotions pass through my mind.
And I know that some of you are judging me, and I get it. Still, I would prefer if total strangers (even a fellow "yid") didn't come up to my door and ask for money. It's weird.
Comments