1) One may give Ma'aser money to an organization that organizes Torah and Hashkafa Shiurim, and thus facilitates Torah learning.(Shu"t Bais Dino Shel Shlomo Y"D Siman 1) Similarly, one may use Ma'aser to pay for Torah, Hashkafa or Mussar shiurim for women, even though women are not obligated in Torah study, it is still a Mitzvah for women to occupy themselves with subjects of Mussar, fear of heaven, becoming closer to Hashem, as well as the many Torah topics that pertain to them. (Psak of Rav Asher Weiss Shlita, quoted in Hilchos Ma'aser Kesafim)
Ma'aser money may be used to support organizations that provide emergency first-aid, such as "Hatzalah" (Psak of Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky Zatzal in Emes L'Yaakov Y"D Siman 249)
It is a great Mitzvah to use Ma'aser money for "Pidyon Shevuyim- obtaining the release of prisoners". (For the guidelines of what is considered "Pidyon Shevuyim, see archives, Halachos for January 8 2009) (Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah Siman 252:1. See also Shu"t Bais Dino Shel Shlomo Y"D Siman 1)
2) According to some Poskim, it is permitted to use Ma'aser money to support non-Jewish charities (e.g. charities whose mission it is to research and develop medical cures etc.) (Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal quoted in Am HaTorah second Edition Choveres 11. Also opinion of Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky Zatzal in Emes L'Yaakov Y"D Siman 251. However, Rav Yaakov writes that even if halachically it is permitted, it is still best to refrain from doing so. Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal maintained that if it is an organization that can benefit Shomrei Torah U'Mitzvos (as is the case with medical research) then L'Chatchilah you can support them with Ma'aser money)
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 Today website. For study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha. Questions can be sent to Halacha For Today)
Reader's Question:
If I put money in a pushka [each day] that I keep at home, and then submit it to the tzedaka organization a few months later when it's full, have I fulfilled the mitzvah of giving tzedaka each day, or only when I give the money to the organization?
My Answer:
Your question is a difficult one, and one that the Poskim deal with. The question is if by placing it in the Pushka it is merely considered that you said "Harei Zu L'Tzedakah" which is basically a Neder to give tzedaka, but not an actual giving of the Tzedakah, or is it already as if it is "in the hands of the Gabbai Tzedaka" and thus you were Mekayem your Mitzvah. (This would have reverse ramifications as well, if for example one wanted to "borrow" some money from the Pushka. See Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah Siman 259:1)
The best thing to do is to make a "Tnai" (stipulation) saying that you want your Pushka to be Koneh the money for the organization, and thus it would be a Kiyum of Tzedakah according to all opinions.(This stipulation would work in the reverse as well, if you dont want it to be Koneh until you transfer the funds to the organization. See Derech Emunah from Rav Chaim kanievsky Shlita, Hilchos Matnas Aniyim Perek 8 Ha'arah 121)
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 )
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