The need to help the poor is repeated in the Torah many times and is considered by many Rabbis to be a central component of Judaism.  The Torah legislates several laws which are, in effect, taxes for the benefit of the poor. Among these are leket, shikhḥah,and pe'ah as well as the special tithe for the poor (see ma'aser).  There is also the Eight Levels of Charitable Giving - as stated by Maimonides - where the highest form of charity is helping a person provide for themselves.