Extra Tzedakah Money
Rav Baruch Fried Question: An individual organized a fundraising event for a very specific cause. He needed to raise a certain amount of money to cover the costs of this cause. When he counted the proceeds, he realized he had…
Lost Ma’aser Money
Rav Baruch Fried Question: Reuven had an envelope full of ma’aser money that he planned on disbursing to the tzedakah collectors in his shul. Somehow, he accidentally misplaced the money; is he responsible to replace it? Answer: There is a…
Using Ma’aser Instead of Charging Interest
Rav Baruch Fried Question: I have a friend who is struggling in business. He needs an interest-free loan to stay afloat and he asked me to lend him the money, explaining that he is only able to pay it back…
Using Ma’aser Money to Write Off a Loan
Rav Baruch Fried Question: Reuven lends money to Shimon and he knows that Shimon is poor and cannot repay the loan. Reuven wants to forgive the loan and deduct the amount he was owed from his ma’aser account. Can he…
Prepaying Ma’aser
Rav Baruch Fried Case: Reuven has a business and usually takes off ma’aser at the end of each year. This year, he made a very profitable deal that netted him a large profit. Question: He wants to designate all this…
Putting Aside Ma’aser Money For After a Child’s Wedding
Rav Baruch Fried Question: My children are very young but I am already thinking about their futures. I hope that they will remain in Kollel for an extended period of time and I opened accounts for them now, into which…
Paying For a Child’s Extracurricular Activities With Ma’aser Money
Rav Baruch Fried Question: If someone’s child needs extracurricular activities like clubs, piano lessons or horseback riding, can he use ma’aser to pay for it? Answer: If someone cannot afford to pay for his household expenses, he certainly can use…
Using Ma’aser to Provide Professional Services Pro Bono
Rav Baruch Fried Question: If someone provides professional services for free to a needy person or organization, can he deduct the value of his services from his ma’aser account? Answer: The Maharil Diskin writes in a teshuva that providing services…
Using Ma’aser Money For Raffle Tickets
Rav Baruch fried Question: Many organizations hold raffle campaigns as fundraisers. May one use ma’aser money to purchase raffle tickets? Answer: The Taz says that one can use ma’aser money to buy an aliyah. Since the money is going to…
Ma’aser for Tuition
Rav Baruch Fried Question: Can one use ma’aser money for tuition payments? Answer: The general rule is that one cannot use ma’aser money to pay for mitzvos that he is otherwise obligated to do. For instance, there is a mitzvah…