Can I accept Ma’aser money to help fund an educational project I’m working on?

 

Question:

I am working on writing and illustrating a book for my students. The cost of art supplies is very expensive, and I can not currently afford it. Many family members and friends are helping with money. Would I be able to accept Maaser money? It’s a book with Yiddishe and Chassidishe values, aimed to empower the children as the Rebbe’s soldiers. However, not all the art supplies will end up being used exclusively for this book, it’ll also be used for practicing and there will probably be leftovers.

 

Answer:

Chinuch is a legitimate cause for the usage of Maaser. However, you must be scrupulous about the money used as though it’s your own money, and to minimize waste as much as possible.

 

Sources:

קייל״ן שמותר להשתמש במעשר לדבר מצוה, שאינו מחוייב בה. וכש״כ עבור מצות ת״ת וחינוך בנ״י שהעולם קיים מהבל תינוקות של בית רבן, ראה שו״ע יו״ד רמ״ט, א׳. ובכלל צרכי ציבור הוא, שמותר אפי׳ לשנות כספי צדקה לכך וכש״כ בכספי מעשר – ראה שם רנ״ו ד וברמ״א. וגובים מהקהל עבור שכר מלמד, ראה הלכות ת״ת לאדה״ז פרק א׳ סעיף ב׳ וג׳. ופשוט דהיינו גם לגבות עבור כל הנצרך לעבודתו.

 

 

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Comments (2)

  • Chaya Mushka November 17, 2021 - 3 years ago

    What should be done with the extras?

    • AskTheRav November 17, 2021 - 3 years ago

      You may reassign the rest to a different charitable organization.

Comments are closed.