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1) It is acceptable to "buy" Aliyos to the Torah or other Kibudim (honors during the davening, such as opening the Aron Kodesh, Hagbah etc.) with Ma’aser money, if the money goes to poor people. (See Shu"t Bais Dino Shel Shlomo Yoreh Deah Siman 1. See also Ahavas Chesed Vol. 2 Perek 19:2 and Shu"t Chasam Sofer Yoreh Deah Siman 249)
If only part of the money goes to poor people, and the rest goes to the Shul or another acceptable cause, then Ma’aser money may be used only if there is nobody else to "buy" the Aliyos, and even then it is best to only give the part that goes to the poor people from Ma’aser.
2) One must have in mind before bidding on these honors that if he wins he plans to pay using Ma’aser money, otherwise it is like any other debt, and he cannot pay with Ma’aser money. (Shu"t Bais Dino Shel Shlomo ibid.)
If the entire money goes to pay the Shul’s expenses (utilities, salaries of Chazan, caretaker etc.) it should not be paid for with Ma’aser money. (ibid.)
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER:
(Reader Submitted Questions of interest (on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topics) and my Answers taken from the Q & A page on the Halacha For Todaywebsite. For study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha. Questions can be sent to Halacha For Today )
Reader’s Question:
In a previous Q & A, you said that if you were not sure whether you had enough [to eat] for a Borei Nefashot, you can ask someone to Motzei you. I thought that this prayer was one that you could not include others on?
My Answer:
Why would this Bracha be one that someone else cannot be Motzei you? Although not ideal, in certain situations it is acceptable, and in fact the best option.
Follow up Question from the same reader:
Well, for instance Birchat Hamazon you can not say for others, correct? I thought the 3 faceted blessing was the only one you could say for another with them in mind.
My Answer:
Why do you assume by Birchas Hamazon that one cannot be Motzei another?
In fact, The Shulchan Aruch HaRav Siman 213:2 and 3 and other Poskim say that for Birchas HaMazon L’Chatchilah one person can indeed be Motzei other people. In fact if you read the text inside, you will see that by Birchas HaMazon it is more universally accepted to do this in the first place, whereas by Bracha Achrona it is only acceptable in special circumstances, as I will outline below:
Although it is best to make a Bracha on your own, if one isn’t sure if he made a Bracha Rishona he may ask someone else to be Motzei him L’chatchilah. See Mishna Berura Siman 167:49. See Biur Halacha Siman 174 toward the end of Dibur HaMaschil Yayin Poter.
The same Halacha applies when one is unsure if he can make a Brocha Achrona of Al haMichya or Borei Nefashos(or one who is unable to say it, or doesnt know it by heart etc.) he/she may ask someone else to be Motzei them. This is the opinion of the Rashba always, and we pasken this way in circumstances where one cannot make it him/herself. See Taz Siman 213:1. and Mishna Berura Siman 213:9.
A male over the age of 13 may be Motzei any one individual or an entire group. A female over the age of 12 may be motzei any one individual or a group of women, but cannot be motzei a group of men (Psak of Rav Shlomo zalmen auerbach quoted in Halachos of Brochos by Rabbi Yisroel Pinchos Bodner)
a boy under 13 and a girl under 12 may be Motzei other Children, but not adults
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
Important Numbers
