Question:
Can one deduct from one’s maaser in order to fulfill the minhag of Kimcha de-Pischa?
Answer:
Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Halichos Shlomo, Nissan 2) rules that one can certainly use maaser money for one contribution of maos chittin. The reason for this is because the power of the kehillah (community) has waned, and the payment of maos chittin is no longer forced upon the individual member. Furthermore, there is no longer any set sum that a person must contribute, so that one can certainly make one’s contributions from maaser money.
Additional reading:
- Baking Shlissel Challos
- Can money raised at charity Torah teaching count towards maaser
- Charity obligations for one who has debts
- Received maaser to give to those in need – can we keep?
- Is it permitted to take goverment assistance
- Tzeddaka to a certain organization, in thought
- Can one ever NOT give a poor person money when he asks?