Is it halachically wrong to give Tzedakah to a known addict?

My neighbor does exactly that! they give someone foods. they cannot give him money because he will buy drugs but he is dirt poor!

It very well may be a problem of ????? ??? ?? ??? ?????.

The solution is quite simple, give him food, clothes, or other necessities he may need. Additionally speak to a Rav and see if you can get someone to sponsor rehab for him. That would be the greatest chessed you can do for him. Help him without giving him money.

BTGguy- If he is poor you have a chiyuv to help him even if he is a drug addict. There are ways to help him out without allowing it to feed his addiction

Absolutely forbidden unless granted permission by the Gedolei HaDor.

ARWSF: Is his hair and eye color important for painting an accurate picture? I apologize if I’m being offensive here, but it greatly bothers me when people imply that being Chareidi or not-Chareidi can have a Halachic Nafka Mina sometimes. IMO, it’s an absolutely terrible mindset and does no one any good. The only relevant facts in this case is that he is a Torah-observant Jew (who obviously has some issues with certain Ta’avos). Once again, I apologize if I’m coming off as rude.

Sam 2, it shouldn’t even matter if he/she is Torah observant or not. The fact that the addict is Jewish is all that matters. His parents are just as upset as frum parents and he needs just as much help as a frum person. We are all from the same Klal and should be obligated to help each other when needed.

Sam2 – if that were true, then all of the frum organizations should stop accepting donations from non-frum Jews. Unfortunately, they could never afford to do this because the bulk of their donations come from just these people. I recently read an article – can’t remember where and can’t quote any stats – but the gist of it was what I have just stated. BTE, I am not saying that you believe this – you even said that “there are some who claim”. As Jews, we are all in this thing called life, together. We really must stick together because there are so many that would like to destroy our nation. Sometimes, when I read the news on many frum websites and see how much space is devoted to (for lack of a better word) sect upon sect violence and fighting, I begin to think that we will never be able to stay together as a Klal. We seem to be doing a fairly good job of destroying ourselves. I never seem to read about Protestants against other Protestants, etc. Why do you think there is so much of this infighting amongst Yidden? (boy have I gone off topic)

Aries, I completely agree with you on that point. I would never give cash to an addict, but I would offer to buy him/her a meal or chat with him for awhile to recommend a rehab program or ask if he wishes to be put in touch with someone from an organization such as JACS.

There is a flip side to this question.

Most addicts will do just about anything to feed their addiction. Many a “frum” girl will sell her body and “frum” men will steal to get their needed fixes. So while your money will indeed be used to temporarily satisfy the addiction, you are also preventing additional aveiros.

Other issues: What about the tobacco addict; $25 of your tzedaka gets burned up every day, or about $8000 a year, to the poor guy who smokes.

And what about the fat collector? If the poor schnorrer is obese and can’t control his food cravings, your tzedaka money is going to the pizza store or restaurant across the street.

And what if the poor guy loves fine wine and spirits?

The only criteria that the torah mentions is that you are to give to your poor brother; the rest is up to him.

cherrybim -“Most addicts will do just about anything to feed their addiction. Many a “frum” girl will sell her body and “frum” men will steal to get their needed fixes. So while your money will indeed be used to temporarily satisfy the addiction, you are also preventing additional aveiros.”

While you make interesting points -your post is full of fallicies.

You don’t know for sure how they will get the money if not by your donation, so that isn’t your Cheshbon. But if there is a good chance that your donation will be used to buy drugs, then you can’t give them any money.

“Other issues: What about the tobacco addict; $25 of your tzedaka gets burned up every day, or about $8000 a year, to the poor guy who smokes.

And what about the fat collector? If the poor schnorrer is obese and can’t control his food cravings, your tzedaka money is going to the pizza store or restaurant across the street.

And what if the poor guy loves fine wine and spirits?”

While you make good points about other addictions, there are inherent differences; although if the guy is an obvious Wino, I would put him in the same category as the drug addict.

While there might be health dangers with regards to smoking & overeating, they are acceptable in our society. So this can’t be taken into account if the person is indeed in need of Tzedaka!

cherrybim -“You mean whether they will steal, rob or prostitute themselves; any other options for a drug addict?”

They can also go to the next unsuspecting guy and collect from him. You should not give this person money -it’s not your responsibility how the drug addicts acquires his drugs -only if you help him.

“So what would you say to the mother who collects money for her daughter’s addiction so that the daughter won’t have to sell herself?”

As far as giving the mother money (knowing that she is supporting a druggie) -no you should not.

“The Rambam says that if a fellow is used to the finer things in life and becomes poor, you are m’chuyiv to support him in the standard of his lifestyle; fine wines, steaks, Brooks Brothers and all.”

What exactly is the relevance of this Halacha to this case? He is just defining an Oni whom is allowed to collect Tzedaka.

always runs with scissors fast -While it’s nice to feel for others even druggies, your response is purely emotional. While I’m not saying being emotional is a bad thing, but you can’t let your emotions overide the Torah. It’s Ossur to give a druggie money if you’re pretty sure he will buy drugs with the money!

Of course, it should be Lifnei Iver (or at least helping someone commit a sin-Misaya Yedei Ovrei Aveirah).

Sam – thanks for responding for me.

Wolf – Sorry to burst your inferiority complex bubble, but I am very science oriented and you aren’t correct. An addiction is something craved by the body which the body doesn’t need and more often than not is harmful to the body. It starts with a psychological craving and can end up being a physical one. O2 doesn’t qualify in this definition.

As a side note those whom frequent oxygen bars could possibly become psychologically attached to the oxygen there. That oxygen is for kicks, not to maintain homeostasis!

first of all being dan likaf zichus means to go to even a extreme to judge a fellow jew for the good ..second of all as the brother of a recoverd addict i know that if their coming to you for money most probobly for food and if u tell them not to spend it on drugs they will respect that