Questions tagged [tzedakah-charity]
The mitzvah of charity, generally giving to the poor, In Hebrew צדקה, literally meaning "justice or righteousness."
268
questions
6
votes
1
answer
340
views
Can Yizkor obligations be paid from Maaser money?
When a person goes to Shul to say Yizkor they obligate themselves to give Tzedaka in memory of the deceased. Can this obligation be paid from Maaser or does it have to be paid from the persons ...
6
votes
1
answer
606
views
Giving Maaser To a Jewish Beggar Who Comes After Davening
After shacharit today, a Jewish person came into shul asking for money to help him provide for his family. He did not have a letter from a Rabbi validating him, as some other after-davening-beggars do....
6
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Can you buy a beggar non-Kosher food, or chometz on Pesach?
If I am asked for money by a beggar on the street, or see a homeless person with a sign, I try and give them food as it is usually more useful than money (which will probably be used for alcohol or ...
6
votes
3
answers
169
views
Should ones name be put on a mitsva?
If someone does a mitsva like writing a sefer or providing a building for Jewish activities like a shul or school. Should he put his name on it and have it called after him? I am not referring to ...
6
votes
2
answers
93
views
Can one accomplish Tzedaka through a will?
If one gives Tzedaka through a will -- so it is meant to be given after death -- does that person get the Mitzvah of Tzedaka?
The reason I would think "no" is because it is difficult to understand ...
6
votes
1
answer
250
views
Modern Maaser and Terumah
Why is it that in modern times, we tithe maaser on non-agricultural income, but not terumah? Does it have anything to do with living outside of the Land of Israel?
6
votes
3
answers
149
views
Can one give Tzeddakah retroactively?
If I gave more than 10% charity in a previous month, may I apply the surplus towards future months?
6
votes
1
answer
220
views
Software for organizing a "thing" gemach
I'd like to organize a baby clothes gemach in my area and I was wondering if there was any software that people have used to do this, or if this was a piece of software I'd have to write on my own.
...
6
votes
0
answers
51
views
Halachically, are tzedaka collectors allowed to interrupt davening to collect tzedaka? [duplicate]
Our shul sporadically gets people who come into the shul in the middle of the Shacharit minyan to ask for tzedaka. I think this is improper as it disrupts people's kavanah when they individually ...
6
votes
0
answers
88
views
Giving to a "mission" collection
In some religions, people accept upon themselves some kind of "mission" to do whatever act to help others. In many cases, it involves collections to send to the poor, or to 3rd world countries. The ...
6
votes
0
answers
300
views
When is it permissible to collect charity during prayer?
In my shul someone usually brings around the pushka (charity box) during the chazzan's repetition of shmoneh esrei. I have also heard that it is appropriate to give tzedaka during v'yivarech Dovid. ...
5
votes
3
answers
128
views
Discriminatory charity
The Talmud Bavli (Bava Metzia' 71A; Original, English) teaches that "the poor of thine own town have prior rights" (עניי עירך קודמין).
How does the Torah justify discriminatory charity? Why must "the ...
5
votes
2
answers
203
views
Can donating to a Gemach be ribbis?
Suppose that Reuven is strapped for cash. He goes to the local Gemach and gets a hefty $10,000 dollar loan for his daughter's wedding. 3 months later, Reuven manages to acquire the money and repays ...
5
votes
1
answer
155
views
Do non-Jews have the mitzvah of tzedoko?
Some one told me the Lubavicher Rebbe told non jews to do charity
Are there sources that they have a commandment to do so?
By them doing it it is only them doing a mitzvah they were not commanded to ...
5
votes
2
answers
113
views
Can Mishloach Manot count as Matanot Laevyonim and vice versa?
If I donate ready to eat food to a soup kitchen, or, even more directly, if I see 2 homeless men on the street on Purim and hand them each a sandwich and a drink, can that fulfill my obligation to ...
5
votes
1
answer
430
views
Why is Chametz burned instead of being donated to charity on Passover?
Slight preface: I’m Jewish, but secular at best. So I know “how things work” in some ways, but still have questions from my own perspective.
That said, one aspect of Passover has always confused me: ...
5
votes
1
answer
573
views
Giving to the poor of your city first - home or workplace?
The poor of one's household take precedence over the poor of one's city, and the poor of one's city take precedence over the poor of another city, as implied by [Deuteronomy 15:11]: "[Open your hand ...
5
votes
2
answers
806
views
Should I donate money to non-jewish organizations that I've benefited from, or is it better to give that money to Jewish institutions?
I was thinking that on the one hand there may be an ענין to give to a non-Jewish organization that you've benefitted from (e.g. Wikipedia) as a way to train yourself in the middah of הכרת הטוב (...
5
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Tzedakah vs. Maaser
Can someone explain to me the difference between tzedaka and maaser?
Is one the obligation to give daily, and the other the requirement to give 10% of yearly income?
Can they overlap?
Are some ...
5
votes
1
answer
414
views
What conditions must be met in order for voluntarily forgone income to count as tzedakah?
Suppose one has done work of some value for a charitable organization in exchange for money. This organization would normally qualify as a destination for tzedakah, and perhaps you have also given ...
5
votes
1
answer
131
views
Can I change my mind after I fill out a tzedaka form?
If I fill out an online submission form for charity, including the amount I wish to contribute, and then before I click submit I decide I don't want to give the money, is that considered reneging on a ...
5
votes
1
answer
139
views
What is the mitzvah of tzedakah dependent on?
We learn in the Rambam commentary on Avos (3:19) that it is preferable to give a little bit of tzedakah to many people than a few large amounts to a few people.
When does one fulfil the mitzvah of ...
5
votes
1
answer
338
views
Tzedakah and Maaser - one obligation or two?
I understand that the obligation to give Maaser from our income is a sub-category of the overall commandment to give Tzedakah but consider the following question:
If I made a promise (Neder) to give ...
5
votes
1
answer
664
views
Maaser on post-tax contributions to retirement accounts
In this article, quoted a few times on this site, there is a discussion on maaser deductions. He says:
Tax-free income that went into a retirement (or other) account designated specifically for ...
5
votes
2
answers
111
views
Can a charity employ a collector on commission without informing donors?
This question is related.
A charitable organisation wishes to employ a collector on commission.
Does the organisation have a duty to inform potential donors that (a) the collector is on ...
5
votes
1
answer
179
views
Limits on Shikhiha Leket and Peah
Massekhes Peah talks extensively about the amount of crop to be left by the farmer for Leket & Peah as well as what constitutes shikhiha.
Some one just asked me if there was a limit to the ...
5
votes
1
answer
104
views
Can one use ma'aser money to pay for shipping a donation to charity?
If one orders an item to donate to a charitable organization, such as a shul or Yeshiva, and wants to deduct the value of the item from his ma'aser money, can he deduct the shipping costs?
Does it ...
5
votes
1
answer
224
views
Receiving financial benefit to give maaser money
Is there any problem with receiving money in exchange for giving maaser or tzedeka to a particular person.
For example Reuvan has $1000 maaser and Shimon comes to him and says "give the money to levy ...
5
votes
1
answer
651
views
How does the lost item-charity to Rebbi Meir Baal Hanes work?
I was told that if a person lost something they should turn a cup (or pot?) upside down say a tefillah and give tzedaka to rebbi meir baal hanes.
what is the source for this?
is it halachically ...
5
votes
1
answer
190
views
Maasar that was set aside, and then stolen
If a person sets aside his Maasar in a seperate account, which was then stolen, or the bank folded and now it is worthless, does he have an obligation to replenish this account, or once set aside he ...
5
votes
0
answers
108
views
How do matanos laevyonim services work behind the scenes?
Many shuls and organizations provide a way to fulfill matanos laevyonim by giving online or sending a check made out to the organization.
How does this work? Is it as simple as "you're enabling them ...
5
votes
0
answers
67
views
Donating Tzedaka and Nodrei Lev
You've received a fundraising call from a local frum institution and agree to donate $100. The individual on the phone directs you to the donation site to fill out the forms.
After you get off the ...
5
votes
2
answers
882
views
Accepting charity from a non-Jew
If a person sends out a group email to solicit funds to help needy families and inadvertently includes non-Jews on the email - Is it permitted to use the funds that the non-Jews donate towards helping ...
5
votes
0
answers
120
views
What if the Gabbai Tzedakah runs away?
Suppose a Gabbai Tzedakah passes our good friend Reuven while making his collection rounds. Reuven reaches into his pocket for his wallet and removes the money he wants to donate. By the time Reuven ...
5
votes
1
answer
234
views
Does this count as Tzedakah?
I found out there's an app that gives money to charity depending on how much you run. You can choose between dozens of organizations that help stop hunger, help the homeless, cure cancer, provide ...
5
votes
1
answer
207
views
What appropriate amount of tzedakah for mi sheberech?
What is considered to be appropriate amount to give for mi shebereh asking for a blessing for an individual ill person?
4
votes
2
answers
171
views
How can tzedakah to the needy of Israel be justified?
In the Yad, the Rambam gives a set of priorities about tzedakah that could be summarized "near before far" except for the #1 priority of ransoming the captive. (Matenot Aniyim, 10.5)
How does giving ...
4
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Is giving money to relatives considered a tzedakah?
Can giving money to my parents and relatives be considered as tzedakah?
4
votes
2
answers
155
views
Mattanos Levyonim via Jerusalem organazations
Am I yotzeh if I (a non-Jerusalemite) give it to an organization in Jerusalem who gives it out on their Purim since a mitzvas Hayom on my purim?
4
votes
1
answer
463
views
Do gentiles have the obligation of giving charity to help the needy?
The only source I found that relates to charity and gentiles is that Jews are expected to give charity to help the non-Jews in their environment for the sake of "darkei shalom".
Given that ...
4
votes
3
answers
713
views
Is a person allowed to prejudge a beggar before giving tzedaka?
The scenario:
Last week while waiting for the NYC subway, a well-dressed woman asked me if I had a spare Metrocard swipe (the Metrocard is a prepaid fare card.) As she did not seem like a beggar, I ...
4
votes
3
answers
153
views
Charity recipient who doesn't manage money well
rambam says that you should give to family first.
my question is what if the family does not know how to manage money? what if i know that if i give my family money, they will waste it and suddenly ...
4
votes
3
answers
249
views
What is the connection between giving tz'daka and tripping on steps?
"Paso'ach Tiftach Es Yadecha Lo", open up your hand to the poor (Re'eh 15:8).
The Gemara in Bava Basra (10a) tells the story how Rav Papa was walking up the stairs and his foot slipped and he was ...
4
votes
1
answer
392
views
Origin of the word “pushka” [closed]
European Jews tend to use the word “pushka” for ‘charity box’. What is the origin of the word?
As far as I can tell, Slavic languages use somewhat similar sounding words for ‘container’. In ...
4
votes
2
answers
506
views
Can one give maaser before getting paid?
Suppose I know I'm going to be paid a certain amount, but the check hasn't yet been delivered.
Can I give a Maaser from it before I get the money?
For example to a tzedaka's Chinese auction/raffle ...
4
votes
2
answers
148
views
Is charity money used for alcohol considered charity?
If you give money to a homeless person on the street, and they use that money to buy alcohol or other intoxicants (drugs), can what you give be considered charity, since it did not help that person in ...
4
votes
2
answers
274
views
Do you get credit for unintentional mitzvot?
I have heard stories such as
A wealthy man felt like abandoning his Judaism and went to the kotel to 'say his goodbyes'. There he saw a chasid davening with such fervor and tears that the wealthy ...
4
votes
1
answer
114
views
An avrech without a profession but if he would work, he would earn enough money, is he called an oni regarding tzedaka?
A talmid jojom (Torah scholar) that is poor is one of the highest priorities in tzedaka, over a regular poor person. Is he still considered poor if he could be earning good money, but decides to learn ...
4
votes
1
answer
96
views
Obligation to ask for tzedakah
At what point is one obligated to ask for tzedakah? If one sleeps in a car are they obligated to ask to sleep in an apartment?
How about food? If one has a minimal subsistence level may one refuse ...
4
votes
1
answer
110
views
How to distribute tzedakah percentage wise?
Are there any detailed recommendations from chachamim how to distribute tzedakah percentage wise (how many percent to pikuach nefesh, Torah insitutions/talmidim, how many to poor people, etc.)? I'm ...