Shlichus & Ma’aser

 

Question:

I’m a Shliach and I really wanna understand the standard of Maaser. What is considered making ends meet? Rent, groceries, utilities, phone and gas? What of a Shliach is considered Maaser worthy? Like am I able to take Maaser every month and put it towards buying a house which will be a Chabad house? If I need, let’s say, 4000$ a month and by paying Maaser I only have 3600$ what do I do? Put it from one pocket to the other? A Seder or a course to teach people, can I use Maaser for that?

 

Answer:

In general, a shliach is supported by the donations of the community who support the activities and service that the shliach provides for the community. When a shliach receives these donations, this money should be kept as Chabad house/Shlichus money and Maaser does not have to be given.

These donations can come from maaser money.

The shliach may (and should) take a reasonable “Pay-Check” for his work on shlichus in order to pay for all of his personal and family expenses. Under normal circumstances Maaser should be given from this Paycheck. It can be given to his own Chabad house.

If this Paycheck is limited and would not cover all basic living expenses if Maaser is deducted, he is exempted from giving maaser, however some tzedaka should still be given and a calculation of all Maaser should be kept to be paid when IYH he would be financially able to (see: Igros Kodesh 17:262. 18: 383. 27: 97).

If the Shliach and Chabad house are in the same location, the rent or mortgage can be split between the chabad house and the shliach personally. In other words, either the shliach would own the property personally and the Chabad house would pay rent for the use, or the Chabad house would own the property and the shliach would pay rent for his personal use of the location.

I hope this answers your questions if anything is still not clear please don’t hesitate to ask.

 

 

#4034