...Continued from previous week
1) A city or a community should not pay its Rav from the "community Tzedaka fund". However, individual members of the congregation may give their personal Ma'aser money to the Rav. (See Ram"a Yoreh Deah Siman 251:13)
Some Poskim maintain, that the above Halacha is for money above the salary that was decided upon between the community and the Rav, but the actual salary may indeed be taken from the "community Tzedaka fund" (Rishon L'Tzion Y"D Siman 249.)
2) One, who in a time of distress or danger, promised to give money to Tzedaka, may not pay this promised money using Ma'aser money. (Shu"t Bais Dino Shel Shlomo, Hilchesa Pesikta)
One who sets boundaries for themselves (which is a good thing to do) and subjects him/herself to "fines" if they G-d forbid transgress an Aveira (e.g. "Every time I speak Lashon Hara I will give a dollar to Tzedaka" or "Every time I see something forbidden for Jewish eyes to see, I will put $10 in the Pushka" etc.) may not pay the "fine" using Ma'aser money. (ibid.)
3) Someone who simply says "I promise money to Tzedaka", without having in mind to use Ma'aser money for this promise, may not fulfill the promise with Ma'aser money, as once it's a promise it is an obligation, and obligations may not be paid using Ma'aser as we have learnt previously.
One who promises money to a Shul upon making a "Mi Shebeirach" after getting an Aliyah may use Ma'aser money according to some Poskim (Psak of the Chazon Ish Zatzal brought in Orchos Rabbeinu Vol. 1 Page 303) Other Poskim are stringent and do not allow it.(Hilchos Ma'aser Kesafim quoting the Nehar Metzarim Y"D)
4) One may pay a non-religious worker or employee, even if it is clear that he/she will not separate Ma'aser from their paycheck, and there is no problem of "Lifnei Iver Lo Siten Michshol- before a blind man do not place a stumbling block". (Psak of Dayan Yisroel Yaakov Fischer quoted in Sefer Hilchos Ma'aser Kesofim.)
5) One may use Ma'aser money to pay the cover charge for a "Dinner" or a "Melava Malka" or other function which is organized to benefit a Tzedaka organization.
However, the cost of the actual portion should not be paid with Ma'aser; e.g. if a reservation to the dinner cost $180 and you would pay in a restaurant for a similar portion of food $20, you may pay $160 toward your dinner reservation from Ma'aser money. (Psak of Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky Zatzal in Emes L'Yaakov Y"D Siman 249)
6) One may give Ma'aser money to an organization that organizes Torah and Hashkafa Shiurim, and thus facilitates Torah learning.(Shu"t Bais Dino Shel Shlomo Y"D Siman 1)
Similarly, one may use Ma'aser to pay for Torah, Hashkafa or Mussar shiurim for women, even though women are not obligated in Torah study, it is still a Mitzvah for women to occupy themselves with subjects of Mussar, fear of heaven, becoming closer to Hashem, as well as the many Torah topics that pertain to them.(Psak of Rav Asher Weiss Shlita, quoted in Hilchos Ma'aser Kesafim)
Ma'aser money may be used to support organizations that provide emergency first-aid, such as "Hatzalah" (Psak of Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky Zatzal in Emes L'Yaakov Y"D Siman 249)
It is a great Mitzvah to use Ma'aser money for "Pidyon Shevuyim- obtaining the release of prisoners". (Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah Siman 252:1. See also Shu"t Bais Dino Shel Shlomo Y"D Siman 1)
...To be continued next week B’Ezras Hashem
