Rav Baruch Fried Question: An investor bought a piece of real estate for $250,000 and subsequently sold it for $350,000, netting him a profit of $100,000. In order to avoid real estate taxes, he places the profits in a 1031-exchange,…
Rav Baruch Fried Question: Does an individual who has a stock portfolio need to give ma’aser on the appreciation of a stock, even if he doesn’t plan to sell the stock right now? What if the dividends are taken out…
Rav Baruch Fried Question: Ma’aser is defined as 10% of income. Is it given from one’s gross income or his net income? Answer: There is a fundamental machlokes discussed by the earlier Poskim starting with the Sha’ar Efraim that is…
Rav Baruch Fried Question: Can you please give an overall outline regarding the best practices when giving ma’aser. Answer: In Sefer Ahavas Chesed, the Chofetz Chaim provides a step-by-step outline for giving ma’aser. First of all, he says that before…
Rav Dovid Grossman, Rosh Bais HaVaad Question: We have stated that one should avoid taking tzedakah if he has the option of supporting himself. Today, there are thousands of people learning in Kollel. Many of them are supported by the…
Rav Dovid Grossman, Rosh Bais HaVaad Case: Reuven is a successful businessman who donates generously to many worthy causes, including the yeshiva he learned by as a bochur. The yeshiva’s fundraiser meets with Reuven one day and urges him to…
Rav Dovid Grossman, Rosh Bais HaVaad Question: Is it true that a person is not permitted to give more than one-fifth of his income to tzedakah? Answer: The Gemara says one shouldn’t give more than a chomesh (20% of his…
Rav Dovid Grossman, Rosh Bais HaVaad Question: I know of a poor man who I feel has the potential to start a business and become self-sufficient. May I use my ma’aser money to give him a loan to enable him…
Rav Dovid Grossman, Rosh Bais HaVaad Question: A wealthy man lost all his money overnight. He is now penniless but is still used to a very high standard of living. Is there an obligation to support him in a way…
Rav Dovid Grossman, Rosh Bais HaVaad Question: There are many people who are financially stable and self-sufficient, but when it comes time to marry off a child, they can’t afford the extra expense. May one use ma’aser money to give…