Book Review: Rambam's Ladder

 Information about the book

Rambam's Ladder: A Meditation of Generosity and Why it is Necessary to Give by Julie Salamon.  Workman Publishing. New York. 2003.  (Amazon)

Summary

From Amazon: Nearly a thousand years ago the great philosopher and physician Maimonides, known to Hebrew scholars as Rambam, pondered the question of righteousness Out of it came the Ladder of Charity.

Rambam's Ladder, written by Julie Salamon, the bestselling author and New York Times culture writer, is a book that will inspire every reader to get a toehold on the ladder and start climbing. In eight chapters, one for each rung, the book helps us navigate the world of giving. How much to give? How do we know if our gifts are being used wisely? Is it bettter to give anonymously? Along the way, Rambam's Ladder will help all of us make our lives, and the lives of those around us, better.

Impressions

I read this book as part of my reading assignments for the Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising.

Each chapter of the book focuses on one rung of Rambam's Ladder - a "ladder" with each rung describing "ranks" of charitable giving.  "Maimonides starts at the top - the highest level of giving - and works his way down, moving from idealism to realism."  "The lowest level belongs to the grudging giver; the summit belongs to the person who helps a poor man become self-sufficient"  (both quotes from the Introduction to the book).

The ladder itself is interesting - I've written about it - and provides a thought-provoking look at charity and how we can improve and change ourselves in light of our philanthropy.  It isn't a be-all end-all, but that in itself creates lots of opportunities for discussion.

I would recommend the book, although at times I felt it difficult to connect her chapter topic to the ladder rung.  It would be more helpful to pay attention to the chapter titles because they do describe more fulling her focus for the chapter. 

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