Babylonian Talmud, Ketubot 50a
תלמוד בבלי מסכת כתובות דף נ עמוד א
א"ר אילעא: באושא התקינו, המבזבז - אל יבזבז יותר מחומש. תניא נמי הכי: המבזבז - אל יבזבז יותר מחומש, שמא יצטרך לבריות; ומעשה באחד שבקש לבזבז [יותר מחומש] ולא הניח לו חבירו, ומנו? רבי ישבב, ואמרי לה רבי ישבב, ולא הניחו חבירו, ומנו? רבי עקיבא. אמר רב נחמן, ואיתימא רב אחא בר יעקב: מאי קרא? +בראשית כ"ח+ וכל אשר תתן לי עשר אעשרנו לך
R. Elai stated: It was ordained at Usha that if one wishes to spend liberally one should not spend more than a fifth. So it was also taught: If one desires to spend liberally one should not spend more than a fifth, [since by spending more] one might oneself come to be in need [of the help] of people. It once happened that a man wished to spend more than a fifth but his friend did not allow him. Who was it? — R. Yeshebab. Others say [that the man who wished to spend was] R. Yeshebab, but his friend did not allow him. And who was it? R. Akiba. R. Nahman, or as some say, R. Aha b. Jacob, said: What [is the proof from] Scripture? — And of all that You give me I will set side a tithe for You. (Genesis 28:22) [Translation by Josh Yuter. Edited for gender neutrality]

Suggested Discussion Questions:

1. Why is one prohibited from spending more than a fifth of their money on tzedakah? What does this teach us about the relationship of the individual to tzedakah?

2. Should this rule apply to everyone? Who is it designed to protect?

Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)