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Maaser Money for Aliya

Shalom,
May one use maiser money to move to Eretz Yisroel?
Thank you

Answer:

If the money was not ear marked for the poor, and one would not otherwise perform this mitzvah, he may use Maaser funds for a mitzvah.

Sources:

The most basic purpose of maaser money is for the poor.

Thus, the Maharil rules that it is forbidden to use one’s maaser money for the purpose of purchasing candles for shul. The Chasam Sofer (Yoreh De’ah 232) understands that this is because the obligation of maaser relates specifically to the poor (the Chasam Sofer writes in siman 231 that this ruling derives from the custom of giving maaser to the poor).

Yet, both the Taz (Yoreh De’ah 249:1) and the Shach (249:3) rule (citing from the Maharshal, who in turn cites from Teshuvos Rabbi Menachem) that maaser can be used for any mitzvah that a person would otherwise not perform.

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