For Matanos L’evyonim donations Click Here

Already Over Chomeish

Question:

I really miscalculated how much maaser I needed to give, and, I am very over Chomeish right now. However, since I try to give tzedakah regularly, I am not sure how to act:

1) I try to give tzeddakah every time I daven. Can I continue keep giving and at the same amount?
2) If someone comes up to me and asks for money, can I still give to them, and at the same amount I usually give?
3) Sometimes when somebody needs something (gam zu l’tovah), like a family member is sick or having surgery, I would give some tzedakkah as a zchus for them. Can I continue to do this at the same amount? Or should I do something else, like additional chesed, davening, or learning.

If I maintain my current tzedakkah rate and income, I will eventually, BE”H, cover how much I already gave. However, it might take a while, maybe even over a year or more. Can I keep doing what I am doing, or should I give less to “catch up”?

 

Answer:

Thank you for your question.

It isn’t often that we see someone who is so forthcoming to give tzedakah so generously. Hashem should shower you with bracha and parnossa, and with everything that you need.

Regarding your question, it is fine to keep up the current rate, with the hope that you will keep up your current income, (and maybe it will get even bigger), even though it will take some time for the tzedakah to “catch up” to you.

Best wishes and tizku L’mitzvos

Sources:

ע’ בס’ באורח צדקה פ”ב הערה י”ט שמביא כמה אחרונים שסוברים כך ע’ בנוב”י מהדו”ק יו”ד סי’ ע”ג שכתב שאפשר לתת מעשר מראש על רווחים שעדיין לא הרוויח, הו”ד בפת”ש סי’ רמ”ט סק”א. וטעמו דכך הוא המנהג. ובלבושי שרד בחידושי דינים ליו”ד סי’ קד גם כתב להתיר אא”כ ימצא שלא נהגו כך באותו מקום. וראה גם במטה משה עמוד גמ”ח ח”ב ספ”ח שהדבר מותר לכתחילה הו”ד בשו”ת חשב האפוד ח”א סי’ קה ב, וכ”כ להקל בשו”ת שבט הלוי ח”ב סי’ קלג אות ט, ובשו”ת משנה הלכות מהדו”ת הי”ב סי’ קנט. וכ”ז דלא כשו”ת בנין ציון החדשות סי’ י”ג שכתב שא”א לעשר מראש.

 

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *