רמבם, הלכות מתנות עניים י:ב
לעולם אין אדם מעני מן הצדקה ואין דבר רע ולא היזק נגלל בשביל הצדקה שנאמר והיה מעשה הצדקה שלום, כל המרחם מרחמין עליו שנאמר ונתן לך רחמים ורחמך והרבך,
A person has never become poor from giving tzedakah and there is no bad aspect to it and tzedakah has never brought harm as it says, and the act of tzedakah is peaceful. And all who are compassionate toward others, they are compassionate in return as it says, and you are bestowed with compassion and compassion will befall you greatly.
[AJWS translation]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. What does it mean to show compassion?
2. This text puts forth the idea that what goes around, comes around. To what extent do you agree?
Time Period: Medieval (Geonim through the 16th Century)