Tithing When I Am Self-Funding
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Question
I am a 21-year-old woman undergoing psychological treatment due to some issues. I pay for the treatment myself, as I do not want to take money from my parents. (The cost is somewhat high.) In the past, I asked a rabbi, and he told me that I do not need to give tithes because of this. This year, I am working and earning (working more hours to fund the treatment and to save money for a wedding). Do I need to give tithes?
Answer
Hello,
The general rule is that someone who does not have money to cover their basic needs is considered 'poor' and is exempt from tithing.
Therefore, you need to calculate how much your basic expenses are, including the cost of the psychological treatment you need, and if the money is not sufficient, you are exempt from tithing.
Source
According to the instructions of the Gaon, Rabbi Ovadia Fried, shlita