Charity: Difference between revisions
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→Refraining from Taking Tzedaka
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* Igrot Moshe OC 5:41 argues that it is forbidden even if he has a steady income and pidyon haben is different since the mitzvah itself is giving the cash. However, other mitzvot for which the cash itself isn’t the object used for the mitzvah, there is a 20% cap on trying to acquire the mitzvah. Also, Chazon Ish OC 149:3 answers that pidyon haben is different since there’s an obligation on one’s property to pay for pidyon haben.</ref> | * Igrot Moshe OC 5:41 argues that it is forbidden even if he has a steady income and pidyon haben is different since the mitzvah itself is giving the cash. However, other mitzvot for which the cash itself isn’t the object used for the mitzvah, there is a 20% cap on trying to acquire the mitzvah. Also, Chazon Ish OC 149:3 answers that pidyon haben is different since there’s an obligation on one’s property to pay for pidyon haben.</ref> | ||
==How Much Should the Poor Receive?== | |||
===Whatever He Needs=== | |||
#The obligation to give a poor person whatever he needs is an obligation of the community. If an individual is requested he is allowed to ask the congregation on his behalf to fill all of his needs.<Ref>Rama 250:1 writes that the obligation of supplying the poor with all of his needs applies to the community and not the individual. Therefore, if an individual is approached by a poor person he can tell the community to help him for whatever he lacks. This is based on the Bet Yosef 250:1. However, the Bet Yosef considers the Tur who assume otherwise. Bach 250:2 and Gra 250:3 disagree with the Rama while the Shach 250:1 defends the Rama. Laws of Tzedakah and Maaser p. 5 cites both approaches. [https://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=8978&pgnum=63 Tzedaka Umishpat 3:2] rules like the Rama. In fnt. 8 he says from Rashi the requested has to go to the gabbay tzedaka or community and can’t force the poor person to do that.</ref> | |||
===Capital to Subsist=== | |||
# A poor person is allowed to collect enough tzedaka in order to be able to start a business in order to have a steady income. Someone who is sick or can't work for another reason can collect enough tzedaka in order to invest that capital in a CD and live off the interest.<ref>Tur and Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 253:2</ref> For example, a widow with young children to take care of, since she is not in a position to work, may collect a substantial amount in order to support herself.<ref>Laws of Tzedakah and Maaser p. 21</ref> | |||
===Unexpected Expenses=== | |||
# A person who has a steady income to support themselves and their family but unexpectedly has a large expense (e.g. medical or marriage of child) is considered poor with respect to that expense.<ref>Laws of Tzedakah and Maaser p. 22</ref> | |||
==Refraining from Taking Tzedaka== | ==Refraining from Taking Tzedaka== | ||
# A person should endeavor to refrain from taking charity and endure some hardship in order not to take charity. Chazal state that it is preferable to make your [[Shabbat]] meal like a weekday rather than take from charity. (See the [[Kavod Shabbat]] page for the practical laws about how a poor person should fulfill [[Kavod Shabbat]].) Anyone who presses himself to live with difficulty without taking charity is blessed to one day have enough money to support others.<ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 34:15-16</ref> | # A person should endeavor to refrain from taking charity and endure some hardship in order not to take charity. Chazal state that it is preferable to make your [[Shabbat]] meal like a weekday rather than take from charity. (See the [[Kavod Shabbat]] page for the practical laws about how a poor person should fulfill [[Kavod Shabbat]].) Anyone who presses himself to live with difficulty without taking charity is blessed to one day have enough money to support others.<ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 34:15-16</ref> | ||
