Tzedakah in Jewish Texts - Chevruta Study

For the work of righteousness [tzedakah] shall be peace, And the effect of righteousness [tzedakah], calm and confidence forever.

There are four types of charity givers. He who wishes to give, but that others should not give: his eye is evil to [he curses] that which belongs to others; He who wishes that others should give, but that he himself should not give: his eye is evil towards [he selfishly protects] that which is his own; He who desires that he himself should give, and that others should give: he is a pious man; He who desires that he himself should not give and that others too should not give: he is a wicked man.

§ The Sages taught: Money for the charity fund is collected by two people and distributed by three people. It is collected by two people because one does not appoint an authority over the community composed of fewer than two people. And it is distributed by three people, like the number of judges needed in cases of monetary law, since the distributors determine who receives money and who does not, as well as how much each person receives.

Everyone is obligated to give tzedakah. Even people supported by tzedakah must contribute from what they will receive. Anyone who refuses to give [tzedakah] or who gives less than what he should give, the court pressures him until he gives the amount he has been assessed. The court may confiscate his possessions and deduct from them an appropriate amount [for tzedakah]. They may seize possessions worth the value of the pledge, even on Friday afternoon. [AJWS translation]