Question:
There is a person who gave me a free lunch today. I don’t really need it. Is it better that I should give it to a bachur (chesed) or to give it to the goyishe painters who are painting my apartment (kiddush Hashem)?
When giving it, (to either one), should I inform that I did not pay for it, or say from whom it is coming, to avoid genevas daas?
Answer:
You should give it to the bachur, the reason being that we are obligated to give priority when doing chesed to our fellow Jew. Regarding informing him, I don’t think that he is going to think that all of a sudden you decided to pay for his meal, and he will understand that you got it somehow, but if you want to tell him you can.
Best wishes
