Tzedakah: Support of one's children?

Hi,

A man may not count support of his children, or of his wife's children, as tzedakah, until they reach the age at which people in society are independent, under normal circumstances.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Yoreh Deah 1:143)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Benefit from a charitable deduction

Hi,

When one files a tax return and deducts charitable donations from his income, and therefore he profits by a reduction in his taxes, he need not give tzedakah from that benefit.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Yoreh Deah 1:143)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Deductions from one's income, for tzedakah

Hi,

We spend 10% of our income on tzedakah. Money spent for general taxes and sales taxes are not deductible from one's income before calculating the 10%, but money spent on income tax is deducted, because the amount that goes for income tax is viewed as though it had never been earned.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Yoreh Deah 1:143)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The real goal of fasting

Hi,

We are taught that the major reward for fasting comes from giving tzedakah, and so some people give tzedakah on fast days based on the amount they would have spent on food for that day.

(Mishneh Berurah 566:12)

Have an easy and meaningful fast,
Mordechai

Tzedakah on a Fast Day

Hi,

We are taught that the major reward for fasting comes from giving tzedakah, and so some people give tzedakah on fast days based on the amount they would have spent on food for that day.

(Mishneh Berurah 566:12)

Have an easy and meaningful fast,
Mordechai

Honoring parents... with whose money?

Hi,

Although we have said that one must honor his parents by providing food, clothing and similar items, the child is not obligated to spend his own money in honoring his parents; this is a physical mitzvah rather than a financial mitzvah.

However, if the parent is needy then the parent has top priority as a recipient for the child's tzedakah.

(Code of Jewish Law Yoreh Deah 240:5)

Chag Purim Sameach,
Mordechai

Matanot laEvyonim and Maaser Kesafim: Two different avenues of Tzedakah

Hi,

More about Purim and Matanot la'Evyonim:

Money spent on the Mitzvah of giving to the poor on Purim does not count towards the year-round obligation to give 10% of one's income to charity.

For example: A person earning $100,000 (after income taxes) per year is obligated to give $10,000 per year to Tzedakah, over and above the amount given to the poor on Purim.

(Mishneh Berurah 694:3)

Have a great day,
Mordechai