Question: Throughout the years I give to a specific tzedaka organization. tzedaka and maaser. At times when I’m low on funds myself I borrow from that set aside money and… Read more »
Category: Monetary Law and Charity
Branch from neighbor on my property
Question: Rav, My frum neighbor has a tree that large branches have fallen down. So far they have all landed in his backyard. There is one branch that seems to… Read more »
Using some else’s credit card
Question: If one has permission to use another person’s credit card. when one purchases something. is it viewed as the credit card owner purchasing and then the second person purchasing… Read more »
Tree Overhanging into neighbor’s property
Question: Hi! I have a tree overhanging my neighbor’s yard. The tree was there when I bought the home a year ago. They are asking me to cut the tree… Read more »
Tzedakah question
Question: Years ago, I used to collect money for various tzedakah causes. At one point I borrowed some money from the funds collected (I know I probably shouldn’t have) with… Read more »
Donating to Hebrew free loan society – which mitzvah?
Question: Is donating a small sum to a Hebrew free loan society considered the mitzvah of tzedekah or the mitzvah of giving a loan? Answer: Essentially it is the mitzvah… Read more »
Paying for magazine subscription
Question: B”H Thank you so much for your help. My question is: before becoming observant, I had a sports magazine subscription. I was recently going through papers from years ago,… Read more »
Giving maaser to a parent
Question: My parents who are elderly have a major problem that requires an exterminator… They don’t have money and are trying homemade products to try to get rid of their… Read more »
Do monthly/daily tzedekah withdrawals count as separate instances of giving tzedekah?
Question: Dearest Rabbi: On tzedekah platforms, sometimes I see an option to divide the tzedekah into daily (https://dailygiving.org/) or monthly for example instead of paying $180 at once, giving $18… Read more »
free shipping/ theft?
Question: B”H Thank you for your help. My question is: I recently ordered something online from a Jewish company. One of the items that I ordered was not in stock,… Read more »
Returning insignificant item
Question: I’m a Physical therapist who visits children’s homes for sessions. I noticed that apparently I mistakenly took a small ball from a child’s home. I looked on Amazon and… Read more »
Paying one’s portion for a gift and rounding up – ribis?
Question: A while back I laid out money to get a gift for someone from a bunch of us. All paid but one, who remembered last week to pay his… Read more »
Work Instead of Maaser
Question: I have a lot of maaser that I owe but money is tight now. Can I take on volunteer projects that I would normally charge for (pay myself the… Read more »
Going to a Bais Din
Question: Thank you for your time. Rashi says, “You have none else but the judge that lives in your days” on Dvarim 17:9. My question is, what if it is… Read more »
Copying mp3 files?
Question: if i downloaded mp3 music onto a computer can i then transfer it onto a usb or mp3 player? i never use the computer for music and if i… Read more »
Required to return a coat tag accidentally taken?
Question: Hi, Last year (pre-covid!) I attended a conference and accidentally took a coat check tag home with me. The coat tags are plastic and designed to be long lasting… Read more »
theft?
Question: B”H Thank you so much for your help. My question is: In the earlier stages of becoming observant, I remember that I took a picture of the cover of… Read more »
Volunteer Work instead of Maaser
Question: I have a lot of maaser that I owe but money is tight now. Can I take on volunteer projects that I would normally charge for (pay myself the… Read more »
Using Extra Towel Mikvah
Question: Lechvod Harabbunim. I go to the mikvah every day in the early morning before anybody comes. I pay a monthly fee. Normally the floor is clean, but many days… Read more »
Is someone allowed to take produce that’s from over hanging tree into his yard
Question: Can someone take produce from a neighbors overhanging tree ? I once heard yes but I want to double ck Answer: It is good you double checked it. The… Read more »
Rainfall from roof damaging a neighbor’s property
Question: We live in an apartment above our neighbours garden. The previous tenant for 10 years (and actual landlord) never complained about the 5 meter wide roofs rainfall that drips… Read more »
Downloading music
Question: In recent years, many Jewish artists have been posting music videos of their music online for public consumption. There is widely available technology that allows one to convert these… Read more »
Does one need to give maaser on money that they receive from pension?
Question: Hi 1. Does one need to give maaser on money that they receive from pension? 2. Secondly is it a brocha to give 20% of it even if you… Read more »
Beis Din
Question: Does Beis Din function during the month of Elul and give out final decisions? Answer: As far as I know, the Bais Din does operate during Elul. Best wishes
Tzedaka pledge by now deceased
Question: A relative of mine told my son before Purim that he would give him a donation towards his yeshiva. I don’t believe that he specified an amount. Unfortunately, this… Read more »
Followup to – Do I Owe Money For Chug
Question: Does not knowing at the time we signed the contract that my daughter would not want to attend further be considered an ones? Obviously if we would have known… Read more »
Do I owe money for chug that my daughter didn’t attend
Question: My daughter signed up for a one year chug (drama workshop). The head of the workshop had all the parents sign a contract that they are obligating themselves to… Read more »
Using someone’s internet wifi that doesnt have a password
Question: Is it permissible to use somebody’s internet wifi (without asking their permission) if it doesnt have a password? Thank you Answer: It is very hard to answer such a… Read more »
Liable for credit card chargeback after company messed up my order?
Question: Hi I asked this question (#58025) but haven’t gotten a response yet, and now I have additional information/questions so I’m just asking it as a new question. I ordered… Read more »
Paying for benefit
Question: In my yeshiva dormitory, the wash machine costs 7 nis to operate and so does the dryer. The yeshiva’s policy though is that yeshiva property – specifically, towels and… Read more »
Can Tzedakah given for someone’s refuah be counted for Maaser?
Question: lkvod HaRav Can Tzedakah given for someone’s refuah (or any other need like parnasa, shidduchim etc) be counted for Maaser if given to situation that one is allowed to… Read more »
Tree fell and caused damage
Question: My neighbor’s tree fell during a storm and fell onto our electric lines which then damaged the meter box on our home. Who has to pay for this. Answer:… Read more »
Emplyment agreement
Question: The Shulchan Aruch (CM 70, 1) says that a loan with a shatar is משובח יותר do the poskim say the same about an employment agreement? Answer: It is… Read more »
Theft concern from Airline by not paying overweight
Question: Many times I flew on Elal and their baggage allowance was 20 kg which wasn’t a practical amount. So over the years, I developed different ways to get more… Read more »
Followup to Maaser and Tuition
Question: They send me an itemized bill but it doesn’t add up, they refuse to discuss why… Whatever I earn goes to my private bank account that my husband does… Read more »
Using maaser for an adult child’s ongoing therapy.
Question: We have an adult child without sufficient income that needs ongoing therapy and psychiatry that is very costly. Can we use maaser money to help her? Thank you. Answer:… Read more »
Paying for benefiting from a shul or website
Question: Hi, if I daven in the same shteiblich every morning and enjoy the AC and obviously the lighting, is it advisable to contribute to the financing someway? I don’t… Read more »
Maaser for a well needed vacation
Question: My father has always struggled financially. Recently, he was very ill and has mostly recovered. He wants to take my mother on vacation after all they went through but… Read more »
halachic will
Question: I wanted to down load the halachic will from you web site for some reason it did not work can you send it to me by email greatly appreciated… Read more »
Parents unpaid tuition
Question: My parents still owe tuition money for yeshivas that I went to as a Bachur and are slowly paying it back. Should I be the one to pay the… Read more »
Theft?
Question: B”H Thank you very much for your help. Good Shabbos. (This question is based on something that happened years ago, before becoming observant). I purchased a luggage item online… Read more »
Giving money to kohen for Pidyon haben.
Question: Hi, I did a Pidyon Haben for my son almost one and a half years ago. But, I am worried that there was a slight issue. please help clarify… Read more »
Do you have ready made loan shtar.
Question: Do you have ready made loan shtar. Answer: Unfortunately we don’t have any specific text for a shtar, there isn’t that much that you have to know in order… Read more »
Changing mind on purchase price of house
Question: About 15 years ago, while we were still living in Australia, we negotiated with an elderly Jewish lady to buy her house which was on the market. A couple… Read more »
Injury due to negligence
Question: HI, My father in law lives in an adult home with his wife. After attending his daf yomi shiur, Sunday morning – he went to the elevator to go… Read more »
Asnan question
Question: What would be the halakha if a prostitute brings a maaser kesafim to Beis Hamikdash? Answer: It would depend on different factors. see O:CH 153-21 and M:B there. Also… Read more »
Responsibility To Refund Charges
Question: in 2015 I entered into a contractual agreement with a client (not Jewish) to provide CPA services for her. Per the contract, I was to charge her account $250… Read more »
Maaser on Inheritance
Question: Received some money as inheritance from a parent who passed away, must separate maaser? Obligation or just “nice to do”. Same 10% and treated as income? Thanks, Answer: Inheritance… Read more »
How much am I obligated to pay for braking a phone screen I borrowed
Question: Sholom Dayonim, I borrowed a phone to use for zoom from someone who runs an internet filter who received the phone as a donation so they could test out… Read more »
Can a seller refuse to extend a sales contract?
Question: If a Jewish seller and a non-jewish buyer enter into a sales contract, and the deal does not close on time due to the buyer’s failure to meet all… Read more »