Q&A: Tithing One’s Income
Originally published:
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Tithing One’s Income
Question
Hello, honored Rabbi, and happy holiday,
I wanted to ask the Rabbi’s opinion regarding tithing one’s income. I understood that this is a custom.
My question is:
1. In your view, is this a binding custom? Does one need to observe it like any other commandment?
2. Does a Levite also have to tithe?
Answer
1. It is probably a custom, and its status is that of a custom.
- 2. Definitely. This is not the tithe that is given to a Levite. See Maimonides, Laws of Tithes, ch. 1, laws 3–4.
Discussion on Answer
I think that as a custom it is valid. It entered the books of the halakhic decisors, and it seems to be something that was accepted. True, not everyone follows it, but it seems like something that became widespread and was only later set aside.
A custom that never became universally accepted—so seemingly it’s not all that binding. Right, Rabbi?