4 Public Charity in Medieval Germany: A Preliminary Investigation Judah Galinsky The Talmud (Bava Batra 8a) ideally refers to two distinct public chari- table funds: the institution of kuppa and the tamhuy. 1 Monies for the kuppa were collected on a weekly basis from all residents of the city, not unlike a tax, and were distributed as well on a weekly basis to the local poor of the community. Tamhuy consisted of food donated daily on a voluntary basis by the residents and distributed daily to anyone in need of immediate sustenance, including nonresidents and visitors to the city. Rambam defines the central institution of kuppa in his Mish- neh Torah as follows (Matanot Aniyim 9:1):