Daf HaYomi B'Halacha Daily Email - 8 Adar 1/Feb 9

 

Can gifts to rabbeim count as matanos l’evyonim?

In earlier times, it was customary give the chazan of the shul money on Purim. Although the chazan may be poor, one is not yotzei matanos l’evyonim with such gifts. Since the gifts are customary, they are considered part of his salary and not tzedakah. It is also customary to give gifts to other people who serve the religious needs of the public, such as rabbonim, teachers and shul attendants. These gifts cannot be considered matanos l’evyonim either. [משנ"ב תרצד, ז; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 16]

Can a recipient of matanos l’evyonim use the money to buy clothing?

Tzedakah money which was collected to distribute to poor people for the Purim meal may not be redesignated for another charity cause. If there are surplus funds, the gabbaim (treasurers) can purchase extra food, sell the surplus, and then return the money back to the general tzedakah fund. Recipients of matanos l’evyonim, however, can spend the money however they want. Some hold that they, too, must only use the money for the Purim seudah. The poskim disagree about whether the residents of a city who donated the funds (as opposed to the gabbaim) may designate them for another purpose. [שו"ע תרצד, ב, ומשנ"ב ח-ט; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 25]

Can one obligate himself to give tzedakah merely by thinking of it?

The Rishonim disagree about whether a person can obligate himself to give a certain sum to tzedakah by simply thinking that he will do so. Even according to the stringent opinion, one is only obligated if he firmly decides to give--not if he considers giving as a fleeting thought. In addition, if one made a condition in his mind that he will only be obligated if he declares his intention through speech, he is not obligated until he articulates his intention. Rema rules according to the stringent opinion. [משנ"ב תרצד, ו, ושעה"צ ח; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 22] All credit goes to  Dirshu | 911 County Line Rd. , Suite 205, Lakewood, NJ 08701