Returning money to tzedaka
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Question
Some time ago I took money from a neighborhood tzedaka fund. I want to return the money. Does it matter whether I return it to that same fund or to a different charity, now that some time has passed?
Answer
Shalom u’vracha
What do you mean by “I took money from a tzedaka box”?
If you took from a box that was placed in your home, you certainly have to return it to the place from which you took it.
If you received an allowance from the fund because you were in need, and now you are no longer in need, there is no obligation at all to return it. But if you wish to return it, it is certainly proper to return it to the place from which you received it, though this is not an obligation, since the return itself is not obligatory.
However, if you received tzedaka without actually being in need, and for that reason you now want to return it, you are obligated to return it to the place from which you took it unlawfully.
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