Question:
If someone gives me charity to buy food for Shabbos can I say that it was used retroactively to buy what I already bought and then I could use the money for something more urgent, or do I have to reserve it specifically for what they gave it for.
This comes up in many different ways, such as giving money for me to renew my Tzedakah certificate, or for other things, but it is sometimes very difficult to wait to use it for the designated intention since I am so short of funds.
Answer:
Hello,
There is controversy about this. It isn’t l’chatchila, however b’dieved it is permitted.
Best wishes, and Hashem should send you ample parnossa, without having to get into such questions.
Sources:
משנה ברורה סימן רמב ס"ק ד "אם שלחו לו דבר מאכל שיאכלנו בשבת לא יאכלנו בחול כ"כ בס"ח ועיין לקמן בסימן תרצ"ד ס"ב דדעת הש"ע שם דהעני יכול לשנות במגבת פורים למה שירצה אף דגבוהו לצורך פורים אכן גם שם יש מחמירין בזה עיין בטור שם".
