Reply To: Abusive mitzvah recipient

That’s funny and makes sense. Thank you.

Hmm I was just wondering if a mitzvah is a mitzvah if the recipient caused harm.

I knew a store owner who had a tzadakah box by his register. And someone ran up and stole it, running away never to be caught.

Technically it was tzadakah. I guess the guy needed it. There were no cameras or anything. I think he called the police, but they could not do much. What if the theif was caught? It was beyond the money. He took the entire box and that had sentimental value. Plus there was trauma by the crime.

Thank you