3,212. Tzedakah Levels 3-4

Hilchos Matnos Aniyim 10:9

The next level down is when the donor knows who the recipient is, but the recipient doesn’t know who the donor is. This is exemplified by the great sages who would secretly throw money into the doorways of needy people. This is an appropriate way to give tzedakah and a good way to act if the charity collectors aren’t reliable.

Hilchos Matnos Aniyim 10:10

The level after this is when the recipient knows who the donor is, but the donor doesn’t know who the recipient is. This is exemplified the great sages who would tie coins in a cloth and hang it over their shoulders so that the needy could take without being embarrassed.