- Family and Society
- General Questions
Tithe Today
Question
I am confused about the difference between the tenth part or tithe(depending on the translation) and charity. Since there is no temple, does the tenth part offering go to the local synagogue? And do the levels of Tzedakah suggested by Rambam still apply today?
Answer
The tithing the Torah is speaking about is giving ten percent of the crops to the Levites and ten percent more to give to the poor or to take and eat in Yerushalaim – depending on what year it is.
That applied only in Israel and only in time when a Levite could prove his lineage, that is not the case today so the Ma'aser – tithe of that implication does not apply nowadays.
However there is a Mitzvah of Tzedakah that every Jew has to give charity to the poor – with the intention to bring him back on his feet financially, as the Rambam and Shulchan Aruch teach.
An average amount for the average person should be ten percent of the annual income. If one can't afford that because his financial difficulties – he can give less.
One that can afford more – may give more.

Changing Maaser
Rabbi Jonathan Blass | 11 Tammuz 5763

Maaser during difficult times
Various Rabbis | 25 Adar 5767

Buying Teffillin
Rabbi Elchanan Lewis | 18 Av 5765

10% on net
Rabbi Elchanan Lewis | 10 Shevat 5766

Rabbi Elchanan Lewis
Former Rabbi of Jewish congregation in Perth, Australia

Old-New Testament
9 Tammuz 5764

Shaving During the Three Weeks
17 Tammuz 5764

Rabbi & Rebbe
9 Tammuz 5764

Understanding Scripture
12 Tammuz 5764
Genesis 24: 2-9 – Put your hand under my thigh
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Tevet 26, 5770

Food, medications and Yom Kippur
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Av 13, 5780

Eating in Shiurim
Rabbi David Sperling | Tishrei 7, 5775

Food, medications and Yom Kippur
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Av 13, 5780
