Question:
I bought a mezuzah and told a friend that I would not give it away but keep it and use it myself. I then bought another mezuzah and said that I will give the first mezuzah to a poor person who really needs it. I then recalled my original words that I would not give it to tzedakah but keep it for myself. My real desire is to give it to tzedakah. Am I allowed to? (I am already using the second mezuzah and wish to keep it.)
Answer:
Not only are you allowed to give the first mezuzah to a poor person, your declared intention to so do may well constitute a Neder L’Tzedakah, in which case you would be obliged to give it to a poor person.
