Question:
My wife suffered a miscarriage, and unfortunately we are having trouble getting pregnant. She is suffering from debilitating depression, and has trouble leaving the house, and is unable to work. We do not have the money to pay for therapy. Can we use the maaser money from my paycheck to pay for therapy?
Answer:
May H-shem send your wife a refuah shleima b’krov.
From what you are writing it sounds like you do not enough money at least for your current expenses. A person that does not have enough money for his own livelihood, and does not spend his money on unnessessary things, rather only on what is considered normal and essential, may separate maser and use it for himself, since he is also considered poor.
May H-shem send you a yeshua, and everything that you need.
Sources:
B’orach Tzedakah 3-8 ftnt. 13 in the name of the Brisker Rov.
