1) According to many Poskim it is permissible to use Ma'aser money to give someone a loan, regardless if the borrower is rich or poor, as one who is borrowing money is considered "poor" for this situation. (Elya Rabbah Orach Chaim Siman 156:2 and others) 2) The "main" place to give Ma'aser money is to poor people.( See Rama Yoreh Deah Siman 249) However, if someone is financially strained, his (and his family's) needs take precedence and he should provide for himself (and his family) before giving other poor people. (See Radbaz on the Rambam Hilchos Matnas Aniyim Perek 7 Halacha 13. See also Igros Moshe Yoreh Deah Vol. 2 Siman 75)
Some Poskim maintain, however, that once he and his family have the bare basics, and he earns enough that he doesn't have to accept Tzedaka from others, he is obligated in Ma'aser (Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita in Derech Emuna Hilchos Matnas Aniyim Perk 7:91 quoting the Aruch HaShulchan. This was also Psak of Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal)
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:
I have been under the impression for quite some time that it is proper to stand for Chazoras Hashatz and Krias HaTorah. Is this incorrect?
My Answer:
1) It is best to stand by Chazaras HaShatz. If one is older or if it's physically hard to stand they can be lenient and sit, as there are opinions that mainatain that one can indeed sit, and that it's only a Chumrah to stand.
On Yomim Noraim when it is hard to stand for the entire Chazaras hashatz, Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Shlita permits even healthy and strong people to sit.
Within 4 Amos of the Shat"z according to all opinions you may not sit.
(See Rama Siman 124:4 and Mishna Berura there S"K 20 and Biur HaGra 124:4 and Halichos Shlomo Chapter 9 Ha'arah 35 what he brings from the Me'iri in Sotah 40a)
2) There is no Chiyuv to stand by Krias HaTorah M'Ikar Hadin. However, it is praiseworthy to indeed stand for Krias HaTorah (See Mishna Berura 146:19). However when the Mevarech is saying "Borchu" and while the Tzibbur is answering "Baruch Hashem Hamevorach" it is required to stand.
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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