Accepting Tzedaka – How Poor?

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  • April 25, 2012 2:05 pm at 2:05 pm #603101
    mermaid
    Member

    How poor must one be to be allowed to accept or collect tzedaka? And if he accepts tzedaka when above the halachic definition of poor, is it geneiva? And does it matter where the source of the tzedaka is coming from?

    April 25, 2012 8:06 pm at 8:06 pm #870705
    commonsense
    Participant

    I’m surprised no one else picked up on this topic. I have many the same questions and no answers.

    April 25, 2012 10:09 pm at 10:09 pm #870706
    🍫Syag Lchochma
    Participant

    Im pretty sure accepting maaser is different than non-maaser tzedaka.

    April 25, 2012 10:28 pm at 10:28 pm #870707
    Bowwow
    Participant

    I think each individual must ask their LOR.

    April 26, 2012 1:16 am at 1:16 am #870708
    derszoger
    Member

    There’s a set amount based upon how many meals the poor man has in his possession, that determines his eligibility for tzedakah.

    April 26, 2012 1:24 am at 1:24 am #870709
    Sam2
    Participant

    For some Tzedaka Inyanim, not having a set income qualifies you to accept. These are Mishnayos at the end of Pe’ah. A person can take Leket, Shich’chah, and Pe’ah (and maybe Ma’aser Ani also, I don’t remember) if they have less than 200 Zuz-which is the amount of money a person needs to eat for a year.

    April 26, 2012 1:32 am at 1:32 am #870710
    mermaid
    Member

    So figure that, nowadays, a meal probably cost $5 a person. Multiply that by the amount of family members multiplied by 365 x 3. (3 meals a day, right?) Maybe add an extra allowance for Shabbosim and Yomim Tovim, and you should have your figure to determine if you’re eligible to collect tzedaka.

    April 26, 2012 1:56 am at 1:56 am #870711
    mermaid
    Member

    Actually, 354 not 365. But, presumably, 384 on leap years.

    April 26, 2012 11:16 am at 11:16 am #870712
    mermaid
    Member

    Using that formula, a family of 7 (5 children) that doesn’t have at least over $37,000 on hand (that’s without even offering a greater allowance than $5/meal for Shabbosim and Yomim Tovim – 7x5x3x354=37170) can collect tzedaka.

    Presumably they must take into account all their liquid savings (including retirement accounts, if any). I would assume if they own the home they live in that would not be taken into account for this purpose.

    April 26, 2012 1:28 pm at 1:28 pm #870713
    mermaid
    Member

    The $37,000 isn’t income. Income can be greater, as long as cash-on-hand (and cash-like/liquid assets that he can turn into immediate cash) are less than $37K, he could collect tzedaka.

    April 26, 2012 2:16 pm at 2:16 pm #870714
    yungerman1
    Participant

    mermaid- I would assume that if there is a steady income of more than 37K after mortgage, taxes, tuition etc.. then they wouldnt be allowed to take tzedaka, even without having 37K liquid.

    April 26, 2012 2:17 pm at 2:17 pm #870715
    🍫Syag Lchochma
    Participant

    37000 on hand? Count me in.

    April 26, 2012 3:17 pm at 3:17 pm #870716
    Sam2
    Participant

    Mermaid: Don’t make assumptions. These are Mishnayos (and the Yerushalmi there) in Pe’ah as well as Halachos in the Shulchan Aruch. And $5 a meal is exorbitant. How much does bread and peanut butter cost? And I don’t know if your assumption that the person needs 200 Zuz per family member is correct.

    April 26, 2012 4:56 pm at 4:56 pm #870717
    mermaid
    Member

    Yungerman – Annual income isn’t relevant. It is money/assets he currently owns that count.

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