Separating Ma’aser Archives - Page 2 of 2

Separating Ma’aser

Question: Is a legitimate form of separating Ma'aser marking down in a document how much of your money is Ma'aser? There would be no concern of the money being…

Switching Ma’aser Commitment

Question: If I were to set aside Ma'aser to one organization which I was benefitting from, but now I am getting the support from a different organization, and its…

I pay a babysitter in order to go to work. Can I deduct the childcare cost from my paycheck before separating Ma’aser or is it part of what I am obligated to give Ma’aser on?

Yes you may, but only on work days and if you would not be getting a babysitter otherwise. שו"ת שבט הלוי חלק ה סימן קלג ס"ד בדרך השני.…

All NY citizens are now receiving $1200 from the state because of the current situation. Is one obligated to give Maaser from this money?

Yes, as it’s there to replace your paycheck. #7985

I recently won some money in a raffle. Do I need to give Ma’aser?

Ma'aser is given from any income, work or otherwise. Thus, Ma'aser should be given from the money. See here: https://asktherav.com/article-737-maaser-on-gift-money/ #6600

Article: Ma’aser on Gift Money

Parents often support their grown children by helping them with monthly expenditures, covering a down payment on a house, paying for the expenses of a simchah (happy occasion)—such as the bris of a…

Do you need to give Ma’aser from credit card points? What if it is given as a credit statement or to be used for airline miles?

If you can only use the points for very specific items you need not give ma'aser. However, if it gives you a broad purchasing power through your credit card…

How does one calculate Maaser if they are receiving a 1099 at the end of the year for taxes? (In other words: they will be taking off more at the end of the year, so they should not have to give Maaser for that money.)

There are technically two options: 1. Although it is recommended for a number of reasons to separate Maaser as soon as one receives earnings, and some Poskim even regard…

If I had a specific cause in mind for my Maaser, but I haven’t actually wrote on the envelope that it’s set aside for that cause, can I change it?

If a person made a mental, even non-verbal, commitment to give Tzedakah, this is called Gomar B'Leibo, and he is obligated to fulfill that commitment. There is a disagreement…

May one donate clothing or goods and take the cost out of their Maaser? If yes, would the condition matter? Is the current or demoted cost used or the original cost?

One can donate used goods and consider them as part of הפרשת מעשר - separating Maaser. Of course, the value is based on their current used cost and not…

Does Masser need to be given from tax refund?

If one did not give Maaser on the gross income when he received it, he is now obligated to give Maaser on this money. Follow up Question: What…

In general what is the max percentage can someone give to Maaser? one fifth is the max?

10% is Maaser. 20% or a fifth is Chomesh. The common practice (there is a Machlokes whether it is Min Hatorah, Miderabanan or a custom which was accepted and…

If I work for a Shaliach that is supposed to pay for my car, am I allowed to use my Maaser money to pay for it and consider it as if I gave that Maaser to the Shliach?

If the car is being used primarily for Shlichus work, you may pay the cost from Maaser. The car remains the property of Tzedaka and does not transfer into your…

When I get my paycheck, money has already come off for health insurance. Do I need to give Maaser also for the money that came off for insurance? What about money that is taken off for taxes before I get the paycheck?

Regarding taxes- you give Maaser after deducting taxes. Regarding health insurance- it would depend on the arrangement you have with your employer; if you can get this amount in…

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?

Question: 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…

I was paying for some of my Yeshivah tuition from my own pocket. I recently heard that I might have been able to use Maaser to pay for my own Jewish education (since my parents weren’t paying for it). Can I count the payments that I made as Maaser retroactively?

Payments that were made cannot be considered Maaser if they were made from non-Maaser money. As to using Maaser for personal education — this is highly debatable. A solution would…

Separating Ma’aser