Maser Money

I would like to support a family member’s business by attending an event they are hosting, which has an entry fee. My question is: Am I permitted to use maaser money to cover the cost of attending this event?

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

You may not use Maaser money to attend.

Here are some of the rulings of our Rabbi, Rav Amram Fried.

Maaser Money can be used for:

1. Supporting poor Torah scholars this is the optimal way to give maser.

2. Poor people

3. The performance of mitzvot.

4. Refreshments in the synagogue or yeshiva

5. Tuition for children over bar/bat mitzva

6. One is not allowed to use ma’aser money to pay for something, even ritual items that one is obligated to pay for anyways.

It is worth mentioning that charity money, including “ma’aser money,” may be given to poor relatives, and this is indeed preferable since relatives come first.

Such relatives include (in order of preference) one’s parents, one’s adult children, one’s paternal brothers, one’s maternal brothers, and most any other relatives, as well. However, it is better to give up to half of the ma'aser to family but if the situation is very difficult one may give it all.