Tzedaka Archives - AskTheRav

We bought a van for the purpose of getting to and from school; that is what it is used for 95% of the time. I drive myself and another teacher, so the van and related expenses would be considered a job expense (ie. deducted from income when calculating for Maaser). However I also drive my child to school, which makes it a personal expense. Can I record the van and related expenses as a job expense?

Yes.

Can Maaser money be used to make Sheva Brachos for friends?

Some Maaser money may be used to pay for a Sheva Brachos Seudah provided that you are helping a Chosson and Kallah who cannot afford it from their own…

May I use Maaser money to help a relative who is a Shlucha, to pay for flights and other needs on their upcoming Bar Mitzvah?

The flight may not be paid for with Maaser. If the Shluchim qualify for Maaser, i.e. they cannot make ends meet, you may buy for them their needs from…

Can Maaser money be used for the cost of a Chassidishe Farbrengen?

Yes, if it is a genuine Chassidishe Farbrengen, i.e. the purpose is indeed to be Meorer to be Mosif in Torah and Mitzvos. The food should be of a normal…

Is there a way marriage therapy can be paid for with Masser?

No, unless paying for someone else’s therapy. If someone else offers to pay their Masser, you may use it if you can't afford it on your own.

These days, when for most people their paycheck comes in form of a check/bank transfer, and most charges (including Tzedakas) are done via credit card, what is the ideal way to give “separate” Maaser? Is, by making sure the Tzedakas given during the month equals the amount of Maaser required, enough?

Maaser need not be given on money that is in front of you. You can give Maaser by donating from your credit card every time you receive a check/bank transfer,…

Can parents use their Maaser for their child’s wedding?

Yes. See here for the specific conditions. Sources: ראה שו״ת אבני צדק יו״ד קמא בתו״ד. מהרש״ם א, לב. שמחת כהן ב, יו״ד עט, ג (במהדו״ק). יחו״ד ב, עו. תשוה״נ…

Can a working girl give her Maaser money to her parents to help them cover the cost for the Bar Mitzva of their son and Chasuna of their daughter, and to pay for seminary and Yeshiva for their children?

Yes. However, if the parents can afford it, then they should not use Maaser money. Sources: שו״ע יו״ד רנא, ג. ש״ך שם ה. רמ״א יו״ד רמ, ה. ב״י שם…

Can Maaser be given in advance? If not, can one give Maaser for funds received in a check before depositing it? If not, what about after depositing it, before it has been processed (e.g. Mobile deposit, transaction pending, etc.).

The Halachah is that one may in fact give Maaser Kesafim on account of future income. However, one should nevertheless separate Maaser again when those earnings actually arrive and then one could…

Our 12th grade class is fundraising money throughout this year for our end of the year graduation trip. Do we have to give Maaser from the money that we get?

If the money is given for a specific cause, Maaser should not be given. See here for more on this topic.