Recently a friend of mine asked me the following question. He pledged $500- to a Yeshiva, yet before he paid the pledge the Yeshiva closed. Does he still have to pay his pledge to another Tzedaka or is he absolved? Is there a difference if the Tzedaka closed and remained in debt or if it closed and satisfied all outstanding debts? Is there a difference if the organization had bylaws specifying what happens to their assets on dissolution? (As always CYLOR)
asked Feb 12, 2012 at 0:45
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3Just wondering, why doesn't he just do Hatarat Nedarim to take himself out of any Safek?– Hacham GabrielCommented Feb 12, 2012 at 0:59
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7Speculation: if the organization had bylaws specifying what happens to their assets on dissolution (as I suspect most do if they have a board and a bank account), perhaps he owes his pledge to the designated recipient?– Monica CellioCommented Feb 12, 2012 at 3:10
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2Who else read the title quickly and thought the question was closed?– Double AA ♦Commented Feb 12, 2012 at 5:27
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2On a similar note as @MonicaCellio, The Yeshiva may still have debts even if they are no longer in business.– YDKCommented Feb 12, 2012 at 5:43
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1I've recently heard of a non-profit that is thinking of dissolving because of debt it owes, and reopening with a similar board and the same purpose but as a new legal entity under a new name and bylaws. I suppose your question can be extended to "would I need to redirect the money to the new organization?".– msh210 ♦Commented Feb 12, 2012 at 20:16
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1 Answer
http://halachafortoday.com/QandA4.aspx
A: The Chazon Ish ruled that one who made up his mind to give Tzedaka to a certain poor person who was collecting, and then the poor person disappeared (similar to your case of the organization closing down) you can give the money to a different poor person (or in your case a similar institution) The best thing to do always when pledging Tzedaka is to say it's "Bli Neder", thus if you run into issues you will not have a promise to deal with. (Psak of Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal)
answered Feb 16, 2012 at 2:40