8 Lessons

How Much of a Tzedaka Preference to Relatives?
I learned that one should prioritize giving tzedaka to relatives over others. I give a nice amount of tzedaka, almost exclusively out of the family (which also has a few poor people), which I feel is more altruistic. Can you explain this halacha and give some halachic guidelines?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Tamuz 7 5782

Giving Ma’aser Years Later
Over the years, I have received cash gifts for birthdays, bar mitzva, etc. and never gave ma’aser kesafim (=mk) from them. I would like to do so now but do not remember the exact amounts I received. What should I do?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Iyar 21 5781

Accidentally Paying Back Early
the Citigroup “bank” mistakenly paid some $900 mil. to Revlon’s creditors before the loans were due. A few big creditors refused to return the money. A court ruled that since the creditors took the money (they were owed) in good faith, they need not return it. Would the halachic ruling be the same?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Iyar 7 5781

Is Rounding Up Ribbit?
I was told that the "Paybox" app that allows sending money enables payments only of full shekalim. So when my wife and many others use it to repay a friend who bought something at the grocery that has an agurot element, they must round the numbers. Is rounding up a problem of ribbit?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Tevet 21 5781

Backing Out of a Pledge to a Jewish School
May one to decide not to go through with his donation pledge to a Jewish school? If so, must he take steps such as hatarat nedarim?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Elul 18 5780

Using Tzedaka Funds for Grandchildren’s Education
Can one use ma’aser money to pay for their grandchildren’s education? Is there a distinction between grandsons and granddaughters or Judaic studies and general studies? If it is permitted, may I putting money in a 529 fund (which earmarks savings for education, primarily post-secondary in return for tax breaks for the donor in the US)?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Tevet 23 5780

Inheritance Without Ma’aser Kesafim
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Cheshvan 21 5776
