Question: Hi, I forgot to take into account investment income (dividends, interest) and gifts from the government into my ma’aser calculation for last year (תש”פ) . I will pay it… Read more »
Category: Tzdakah and maaser
Borrowing from tzedaka that I set aside
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Sofer Donating Mezuzos to Shul from Maaser Money
Question: I am a sofer and write many mezuzos. Can I give some of the mezuzos to an organization – a shul or yeshiva and consider it as if I gave the… Read more »
Maaser and Sleepaway Camp
Question: Is it permissible to partially pay for sleepaway camp for a teenage daughter with maaser money. Especially because of Coronavirus, it is evident that she really needs to get… Read more »
Cash back from maaser
Question: I have a bank account which gives a certain amount of cash back for every transaction, similar to most credit cards which offer 1-2% of each transaction as cash… Read more »
Helping only one Torah institution
Question: Can I just help only one Torah institution? I once heard that one can not and that one should diversify his maaser money. Is there a halacha forbidding to… Read more »
A gift with a condition
Question: Hi, a parent gave me a sum of money to be used at my discretion in general, but not to be used for Torah studies. Do I have to… Read more »
Maaser before taxes vs. after taxes?
Question: Hi, If we are giving 10% maaser from our income before paying income taxes Vs somebody who gives 10% maaser after paying income taxes, in essence is person who… Read more »
Is tzedakah time sensitive per year?
Question: H 1. If one didn’t give the minimum required amount of tzedakah not necessarily maaser (I read its 1/3 a silver shekel) for a few years is one required… Read more »
Can taxes be subtracted from my income regarding maaser?
Question: What is subtracted from the amount of tzedaka you should pay? Are expenses subtracted? Tax? Assuming that expenses are subtracted, would a fee paid to an accountant to file… Read more »
Money received for Yom Tov expenses
Question: Someone gave me money for Yom Tov expenses. (He gave me more than necessary, especially since I ate out by some of the meals.) May I spend whatever is… Read more »
Masser
Question: If I got money from Trump due to the Corona but I presently don’t have an income (I’m still supported by my parents but not living with them) do… Read more »
Giving food to orchim
Question: I am living now separate from my parents due to corona concerns. My parents bring me food for me to eat. Is it permitted for me to invite bachurim… Read more »
Using someone else’s Wifi
Question: May one use neighbour or someone else Wifi if they don’t know about it. It has a password but the person finds it out. Do we say theres no… Read more »
Unsubscribing to the tzedoko calls and emails?
Question: Is there a problem of avoiding to give Tzodoko if you unsubscribe to the tzedoko calls and emails? Is it correct to say that I only give Tzodoko if… Read more »
Do you need to give maaser from a loan?
Question: Hi rabbi, some has loaned us some money, we would like to know if we need to give 10% of that to maaser/tzedaka? Many thanks. Answer: Thanks for your… Read more »
Using masser money for bills
Question: If struggling financially with difficulty paying basic bills and behind with many bills, can maaser money be used? Answer: If you don’t enough for your basic needs you don’t… Read more »
Maaser by mistake
Question: I was separating maaser from cash, and i said “this is maaser” but i realized i was actually still holding the money that i was taking the maaser from… Read more »
If struggling financially to the point that basic bills are very behind, May maaser money be used?
Question: If struggling financially to the point that basic bills are very behind, May maaser money be used? Answer: If you don’t enough for your basic needs you don’t have… Read more »
Is a income that the government gives for baby siting need to be taken maser of?
Question: Hi, Is a income that the government gives for baby siting need to be taken maser of? The whole amount that the government gives goes for the baby sitter…. Read more »
Can transportation for boys and girls to the Mosdos be paid from maser?
Question: Hi, Sorry, also i would like to know if transportation for boys and girls to the Mosdos can be paid from maser? Answer: I would assume that it is… Read more »
How much can a meshulach take?
Question: i would like to collect money for a tzadaka organization. What is the maximum commission that i can ask for? Thanks Answer: HI, Thanks for your question. The issue… Read more »
Maaser to chavrusah
Question: I learn with a Rosh Kollel and he refuses to let me pay him. Sometimes I’m able to convince him to take cash. I know he can use the… Read more »
Maaser from earnings when becoming an equity partner
Question: I asked a prominent Rav in Yerusholaim when I choose to become an equity partner in the deal if I have to give Maaser, He told me I do… Read more »
Can an organization accept tzedaka from a married woman?
Question: Can a gabbai tzedaka or tzedaka organization accept a large contribution from a married woman without confirming that she has her husband’s permission to make the donation? If a… Read more »
Do I have to Ma’aser if I have loans outstanding
Question: I borrowed money from my parents some time ago. Recently I received wages, and I sent them right away to my parents to help pay down the loan they… Read more »
Mixed up tzedaka money
Question: For more than three years weve been puting small change into a container and several pushkas for tzedaka, some of it was given al daas that it would go… Read more »
Giving maaser by forgiving a loan.
Question: If I have loaned a poor person money, that he will possibly not be able to pay back, what are the considerations in “giving maaser” of the amount of… Read more »
Can maaser money be used for therapy
Question: My wife suffered a miscarriage, and unfortunately we are having trouble getting pregnant. She is suffering from debilitating depression, and has trouble leaving the house, and is unable to… Read more »
Using maaser money to enable more tzedaka
Question: They are currently holding elections for the World Zionist Organization to form a new committee. This is an opportunity for Jews worldwide to influence and determine, for the next… Read more »
Maaser money for learning rabanus
Question: I’m learning in Kollel now. Can I use maaser money (from what I get paid from kollel or my wife’s job) to pay for a rabanus program for myself?… Read more »
Supporting Torah
Question: If I would pay a bachur or yungerman to learn at a time that he otherwise would not be learning, would I get the schar of his learning? Is… Read more »
Giving a gift for certain purposes
Question: Hi. I received a sum of money from someone as a gift. At the time the money was given or afterwards, it was made clear however that the money… Read more »
May one use maaser money for animal rescue?
Question: If one knows that 100% of it will go to rescuing and care of the wildlife in the Australian bushfires? Millions of animals there, large and small, need rescuing… Read more »
follow up re money for pants
Question: Someone gave me money to purchase pants. After purchasing one pair of pants, may I keep the remainder of the money for myself? Answer: All of the money was… Read more »