On translations for the word "tzedakah"

[xiphias]

The word "tzedakah", in Hebrew, is often translated as "charity", which I hate. The connotations of the two words are totally different. "Tzedakah" is an obligation -- something you do because you have to; "charity" is something that you do because you are a good and kind person.

I realized a word that I like better in English to mean "tzedakah". I like the word "tithe". People who give charity do so because they want to. People who tithe do so because they have to. You can grumble about tithing all you want, just the same way as you grumble about having to pay taxes. But you still have to do it.

And that's the way "tzedakah" works.

So that's what I like. "Tzedakah" approximately equals "tithe". Instead of "charity".