Q&A: Tithing Money from an Inheritance
Tithing Money from an Inheritance
Question
Hello Rabbi Abraham,
Recently I asked you a few questions about the inheritance rights of a firstborn. I wanted to ask a different question regarding tithing money from an inheritance. I became religious a little over a year ago, and a few months after I returned to religious observance, my father passed away and left a fairly large sum. Until now I have not had the practice of setting aside a tithe. The question is whether I now need to set aside a tithe from the inheritance. If so, should I set aside 10% or more (or less?), and for what charitable purposes is it preferable to allocate it?
Answer
Hello,
Indeed, the practice is to give a money tithe (10%) from any money one receives, including an inheritance. There are opinions that tithing money is only a custom, but there are opinions that it is a full legal obligation. Since the sum is very large, if this is very difficult for you, there may be room to be lenient.
If your situation justifies making use of charity funds, then of course you are not obligated to tithe.
Strictly speaking, the tithe is intended for the poor. Some have the practice of permitting it to be donated also for Torah study, but in my opinion that is a dubious leniency (unless we are talking about poor Torah scholars, of course).
All the best,
Michi
Discussion on Answer
It seems to me that the organization Paamonim operates properly and as it should.
Beyond that, I have limited trust in organizations. We find causes of our own to support (usually not through organizations).
It is certainly possible to deposit the money in a free-loan fund.
Can donations to organizations like Arachim, Nefesh Yehudi, or Hidabroot, and the like, be made from tithe money?
I think so, but as best I understand it, giving to the poor is preferable.
The advantage of organizations is that with some of them you can get a tax refund of 35 percent of the donation amount.
Are there perhaps any other organizations you know of that you think are worthy?
I know there is a free-loan fund run by the Torah nucleus in Lod (where I live). As far as I know, they conduct themselves perfectly properly. If you want to check the details:
Rabbi Eitan Shenrav, 052-6071637
Are there any charitable organizations that you would recommend? To whom do you usually donate your tithe?
Also, is it permissible to deposit the tithe in a free-loan fund for the purpose of making loans, or does that not count as fulfilling one’s obligation of tithing?