rob: I didn’t give any pilpul. Just simple logic. The money received is not for a “cause”. And it is not tzedakah. It is a simple business transaction. If I make a deal with my neighbor that he’ll pay me $100 a week if I learn Torah and he’ll share the s’char, it’s a simple business deal. The same as if he agreed to pay me $100 a week to watch me play baseball.
I’ll agree to this. Its only whan someone actually asks for Tzedaka that it is such. Taking a salary from a Kollel is NOT really taking Tzedaka. Taking a tuition discount for being in Kollel probably IS Tzedaka (depending on the situation and manner of discount, see earlier threads). Collecting to pay for your daughter’s wedding and Nadan (because you have nothing) certainly IS Tzedaka.
To sidetrack, I heard a speach over Shabbos decrying that no one wants to date daughters of Lakewood rabbaim & Kolleleit, since they have no money. If this is true, who do the SONS of the Lakewood Rabbaim & Kolleliet date?