Question:
To buy my house I needed to take a mortgage together with a loan from my family. The terms of the family loan are very flexible: When I have extra money, either monthly or periodically, I am expected to use that money to help pay back the loan. There is no time limit or pressure – when I can, I should. Should such a type of loan ‘plan’ absolve me of the obligation to take Maaser and instead use the money for paying back the loan? Thank you.
Answer:
It depends on how you are living. If you are living frugally, and not spending money on things that you don’t need, then you should still give some tzedakah, but not alot. However if you spend money on whatever you like, then you sould still give maaser.
Best wishes
Sources:
Sefer Chassidim 397, 454, Birkei Yosef 251-3, Pele Yoetz -Tzedakah, Derech Emuna 7 ftnt. 214, B’orach Tzedakah 3-8 ftnt. 16.
