0

Can a person who promised to themselves (but did not yet "mail the check") to give charity to a specific Torah organization, not give the tzedakah if they learn the organization is using (at least some of the) donations to provide legal support for a person on trial for crimes that, if he's guilty of them, are also halachic violations?

Is the tzedakha considered a "vow" requiring the person to have to send the donation despite what they now know about the organization?

Improve this question
10
  • 3
    Ask your LOR for case specific guidance.
    – Gershon Gold
    Commented Aug 29, 2013 at 13:30
  • 2
    user3142, let me extend a belated welcome to Mi Yodeya! Please consider editing your profile to give yourself a name. Also, please consider registering your account, which will give you access to more of the site's features.
    – Isaac Moses ♦
    Commented Aug 29, 2013 at 13:51
  • It sounds like there are several questions here that complicate the base question. Here are some options depending on what you're actually asking: 1. If I promise myself that I will send tzedakah to a particular organization, and then I find out information about that organization that would have discouraged me from making that promise, must I still send that tzedakah? 2. Is it kosher to provide for the legal defense of a person on trial for crimes that...
    – Charles Koppelman
    Commented Aug 29, 2013 at 17:43
  • 1
    @CharlesKoppelman, I think there's one question here that touches on all of those aspects. I don't see what the problem is. Given that this confluence of issues is plausibly a situation that comes up for people, I don't see the benefit of trying to force an asker to atomize it before it can be answered.
    – Isaac Moses ♦
    Commented Aug 29, 2013 at 18:25
  • 1
    @IsaacMoses sure, but the OP might get cleaner answers by atomizing.
    – Charles Koppelman
    Commented Aug 29, 2013 at 18:51

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1

I appreciate everyone attempting to understand my question. Thankfully, when I asked my Rabbi a couple of weeks ago he understood the question perfectly. His response was that if I made a personal vow to donate before knowing what I know now about this organization, I still should send the donation but specify that the money not be used for the legal fund. (By the way, the rabbi stated that if I made the promise public I would also have to send the donation using the same stipulation.) Shana Tova.

Improve this answer
1
  • You are welcone Double AA
    – JJLL
    Commented Sep 11, 2013 at 0:42

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .