Several Questions Regarding the Laws of Ma'aser Kesafim
Question
A. May I pay from ma'aser funds for the cheder where my child studies?
B. May I pay from ma'aser funds to the yeshiva where my son studies?
C. May I pay from ma'aser funds for private tutors for a girl in secular subjects (a ten-year-old girl and an eighteen-year-old girl)?
D. I deposit money each month into a provident fund for each child for his wedding needs. At any age, can this already be calculated as ma'aser?
Answer
Shalom u’verachah.
A. No.
B. One who is lenient has authorities upon whom to rely.
C. According to the basic halachah, it is permitted.
D. In terms of the child’s age, it is permitted to set aside 50% of the ma'aser for the child’s marriage from the time he is born. However, the opinion of our teacher Rabbi Amram Fried shlita is that it is forbidden to place ma'aser money in investment funds, but only in a gemach fund, so that in the meantime the money will be used for tzedakah.
