>Giving money to someone who’s just shaking a pushka because they >heard Jews give money on Friday afternoons, and then that person >goes home laughing, is sadly, not fulfilling the mitzvah of
>tzedakah.
I disagree because as far as you are concerned they are asking because they need it so you are obligated to give. Generally, I think the less we judge others the less Hashem will judge us.
>Once I find out the person buys cigarettes I have a good excuse
>not to give him tzedaka “poor” or not
Is that your criteria or Hashem’s?