Community Magazine September 2009

The T op 10 W 1 HAT IS THE OBLIGATION FOR SEDAKA? While we all undoubtedly recognize the virtues of giving sedaka (charity), not all are aware of the specific requirements of this missva . The Torah clearly obligates every Jew approached by a poor person for charity to give him at least a small donation. Even if one does not have money with him, as long as he has money somewhere he must borrow funds to give the poor person. One who does not give anything transgresses the Torah’s command to give sedaka . However, this applies only when one is approached personally by the poor individual, but not if he is approached by a solicitor collecting on behalf of a poor person or for other worthy causes. W 2 HAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS OF MAASER – TITHING ONE’S INCOME? Aside from the standard sedaka obligation, halacha requires one to give a certain percentage of his profits to charity. While the most admirable practice is to give 20 percent of one’s income, the basic requirement is to put aside maaser , one-tenth. One should not give more than 20 percent of his earnings to charity, unless he is exceptionally affluent, or when writing a will. W 3 HAT IS THE SOURCE FOR GIVING MAASER? Different opinions exist among the poskim (rabbinic authorities) as to whether giving maaser is a Torah obligation, or a requirement enacted by the Sages. The more accepted view is that maaser is an ancient minhag (custom) instituted by our forefathers Avraham, Yizhak and Yaakov and observed by their descendents throughout the ages. Nevertheless, a person who has begun to give maaser is obligated to continue this practice, unless he had specified before giving maaser that he does so beli neder (without accepting a formal vow). Our sages guarantee that one who fulfills this missva correctly will be rewarded with financial blessing and success. F 4 ROM WHICH MONIES DOES ONE SEPARATE MAASER? Maaser is given from profits earned through commercial enterprises, salaries, money received as a gift or inheritance, and money that one finds. One who invests in a business deal which does not result in any profit is not required to give maaser . Furthermore, if one earns a profit but then he misplaces the money, or it is stolen, he does not need to separate maaser. One who receives a present of money to buy a specific object is not required to take maaser from those funds, unless he receives more money than is needed for the purchase, in which case he should separate maaser from the excess money. W 5 HO IS OBLIGATED IN THIS MISSVA? All men and women over the age of bar/bat missva are included in the missva of maaser . However, one who does not have enough money for his own basic needs is not required to give maaser even if he earns a profit. H 6 OW SHOULD ONE SET ASIDE HIS MAASER? One should preferably calculate his maaser at least once every three months. One who does not make this calculation every three months must ensure to do so annually. An exact calculation should be made even if one knows that his annual donations exceed his obligation, so that he grows accustomed to calculating and maintaining strict accuracy. Furthermore, the Hafess Haim z.s.l. (Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan, 1839-1933) writes that if one precisely calculates his earnings and separates the proper amount for maaser , then his entire business is considered an “ esek shel missva – a missva enterprise” and will undoubtedly have more financial success than usual. Questions & Answers About Maaser ( Tithing Income ) 100 CoMMUniTy MagazinE