רמב"ם הלכות מתנות עניים פרק י הלכה י
פחות מזה שידע העני ממי נטל ולא ידע הנותן, כגון גדולי החכמים שהיו צוררים המעות בסדיניהן ומפשילין לאחוריהן ובאין העניים ונוטלין כדי שלא יהיה להן בושה.
Below this is the case in which the poor person knows the identity of the donor [of the tzedakah], but the donor does not know the identity of the recipient [of the tzedakah]. For example: the great rabbis used to place money in their scarves and let this money drop behind them, and the poor would come and take it. This was in order that the poor would not be embarrassed [by taking directly from the rabbis.] [Translation by Rabbi Jill Jacobs]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. What is the value of a model of giving in which the poor knows the identity of the giver but not vice versa? Why might this sometimes be preferable?
2. Can you imagine a situation today in which we would construct a system of giving based on this text? How would this system benefit everyone involved?
Time Period: Medieval (Geonim through the 16th Century)