Collecting Tzedaka in Shul and More

1. What is the chiyuv tzedaka nowadays towards those who come to shul collecting tzedaka - Shulchan Aruch YD 251:10 says that one is entitled to check the status of the ani before giving them, and nowadays we don't really have the ability to check those who come round in davening/to one's door. At the same time Rambam says to give a small amount to aniyim who come to one's door. Some also raise the concern that nowadays there may be more 'rema'im' present. So does one have a halachic obligation to give to those who come collecting in shul / to one's door nowadays? 2. If the answer to (1) is yes, in our shul there can be 10+ people who come collecting daily. Must one give all of them? It can get a little expensive... 3. What is considered a reliable 'bedika' if one wants to find a suitable ani to give a larger donation to? Some collectors come round with letters of recommendation - when do these act as reliable to decide who to give larger donations to? 4. If the answer in (1) is one should give something, how does one relate to those of working age who choose to collect tzedaka rather than work (not talking of those who choose to be in Kollel, but those who spend their day going round to collect)? I overheard a particular collector saying they could go and work but make more collecting.

Shalom!

Thank you for all your questions which we will try to address.

Let me begin with a few words about the mitzva of tzedaka, charity.

It is both a positive mitzva of the Torah to give tzedaka as well as a negative mitzva not to refuse those who ask for tzedaka. (Deuteronomy 15:7).

Nevertheless, this does not mean that there is always an automatic obligation to give tzedakah at any time anyone asks, since nowadays most poor people are not considered halachically poor. However, if a person presents a certificate from a rabbi etc testifying he is poor then one is obliged to give him at least a "perutah" (around 10 Agurot). there are other Halachot regarding giving charity.

For example:

Although there is a mitzva to give enough charity that will cover all the needs of the poor person, however since he is going around asking everyone for tzedaka it can be assumed that he will eventually get what they need.

So too, one is not required to perform the mitzva of tzedakah if one is currently engaged in another mitzva. So, for example, if you were in the middle of praying the Pesukey De'zimrah and giving charity would disturb your concentration, then you would be exempt from giving charity.

Collectors going from person to person in the  synagogue during the prayers collecting money for their causes. For many people, these appeals for money are quite disturbing to their concentration during prayer, so there  is not obligated to give money to someone who is collecting money (whether for the poor or for any other worthwhile cause) while one is praying since one is already occupied with a mitzva and, therefore, exempt from having to perform a different mitzva. This is known as the rule of “ha’osek b’mitzva patur min hamitzva,” one who is currently engaged in a mitzva is exempt from having to perform any other mitzva, including the mitzva of tzedaka.

It is worth noting that some say that the rule of “ha’osek b’mitzva…” does not apply if one is able to perform the second mitzva without any extra exertion and without compromising the quality of the first mitzva. Therefore one may give charity while praying if doing so can be done with minimal exertion and will not compromise one’s concentration on the prayers. This can be done by leaving some coins on one’s table before beginning one’s prayers and simply pointing to the coins as a sign for the beggar to take one.