Charity: Difference between revisions
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→Supporting Children
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#Many poskim hold that that as long as one legally needs to support one’s children one can not deduct those expenses from one’s maaser.<Ref>Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Borach Tzedaka p. 340) holds that if one legally has to support one's children then one can't deduct that from maaser. If one isn't legally obligated, Rav Auerbach felt that most poskim consider it maaser. | #Many poskim hold that that as long as one legally needs to support one’s children one can not deduct those expenses from one’s maaser.<Ref>Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Borach Tzedaka p. 340) holds that if one legally has to support one's children then one can't deduct that from maaser. If one isn't legally obligated, Rav Auerbach felt that most poskim consider it maaser. | ||
Does supporting one’s children above 6 count as maaser? Maharam Rotenberg (Prague responsa 75) writes that one can consider that money spent feeding one’s children above 6 as maaser, however, the Taz 249:1 argues that although it is considered a meritorious act (Ketubot 50b). Rishon Letzion is lenient, while Brikei Yosef is strict. Ahavat Chesed 19:1 is lenient, Aruch Hashulchan is strict. | Does supporting one’s children above 6 count as maaser? Maharam Rotenberg (Prague responsa 75) writes that one can consider that money spent feeding one’s children above 6 as maaser, however, the Taz 249:1 argues that although it is considered a meritorious act (Ketubot 50b). Rishon Letzion is lenient, while Brikei Yosef is strict. Ahavat Chesed 19:1 is lenient, Aruch Hashulchan is strict. | ||
Igrot Moshe YD 1:143 holds that it wouldn’t count towards maaser since you’re obligated based on mezonot to yourself today to support your children as long as they’re living at home. Badei Hashulchan 243:19, Shevet Halevi 5:133:2, and Yechava Daat 3:76 are lenient. Yechava Daat’s argument is that it is a dispute in the rishonim if that is the case and therefore one can be lenient. Shevet Halevi 5:133:2 also writes that since it is a dispute between the Taz and Shach one should only count a portion of funds for his children’s food towards maaser.</ref> | Igrot Moshe YD 1:143 holds that it wouldn’t count towards maaser since you’re obligated based on mezonot to yourself today to support your children as long as they’re living at home. Badei Hashulchan 243:19, Shevet Halevi 5:133:2, and Yechava Daat 3:76 are lenient. Rav Wosner (B'orach Tzedaka p. 349 from Shiurei Shevet Halevi) agreed that ideally he shouldn't count paying for children's food towards maaser but for someone who can't afford otherwise can do so up to half of their maaser. Yechava Daat’s argument is that it is a dispute in the rishonim if that is the case and therefore one can be lenient. Shevet Halevi 5:133:2 also writes that since it is a dispute between the Taz and Shach one should only count a portion of funds for his children’s food towards maaser.</ref> | ||
# Most poskim hold that supporting grandchildren can be counted as tzedaka.<ref>Shevet Halevi 5:133:2 writes that supporting grandchildren is tzedaka unlike the Aruch Hashulchan 249:7. Yechava Daat 3:76 in fnt. agrees with the Shevet Halevi.</ref> | # Most poskim hold that supporting grandchildren can be counted as tzedaka.<ref>Shevet Halevi 5:133:2 writes that supporting grandchildren is tzedaka unlike the Aruch Hashulchan 249:7. Yechava Daat 3:76 in fnt. agrees with the Shevet Halevi.</ref> | ||
===Supporting a Son-in-Law=== | ===Supporting a Son-in-Law=== | ||
#Many poskim hold that if someone specified that he will give maaser for mitzvot he can give it to his son-in-law learning torah.<ref>Shevet Halevi 5:133:2 writes that supporting a son-in-law to learn Torah counts towards maaser. Aruch Hashulchan 249:10 disagrees and thinks it can’t be counted towards maaser. Chatom Sofer YD 2:231 writes that if he accepted to begin with that he’ll count the money he’s using to support his son-in-law to learn Torah from his maaser money, he can do so, however, if he stipulated to support his son-in-law not from his maaser money he can’t change his mind later.</ref> | #Many poskim hold that if someone specified that he will give maaser for mitzvot he can give it to his son-in-law learning torah.<ref>Shevet Halevi 5:133:2 writes that supporting a son-in-law to learn Torah counts towards maaser. Aruch Hashulchan 249:10 disagrees and thinks it can’t be counted towards maaser. Chatom Sofer YD 2:231 writes that if he accepted to begin with that he’ll count the money he’s using to support his son-in-law to learn Torah from his maaser money, he can do so, however, if he stipulated to support his son-in-law not from his maaser money he can’t change his mind later.</ref> | ||
