Maaser Kesofim and Nedarim

OU Kosher

If I decide to give Maaser Kesofim, is there any special way to assume this responsibility?

In the last two installments of the Halacha Yomis we discussed two important concepts:

  1. Many Poskim consider Maaser Kesofim to be a non-obligatory minhag that has been practiced by the Jewish people for centuries.
  2. It is customary to say “bli neder” when pledging tzedakah or performing a good deed three times to avoid the risk of inadvertently violating a vow.

These two halachos converge in an interesting way. The Chofetz Chaim (Ahavas Chesed, vol.2, 18:2) recommended saying bli neder before committing to give Maaser Kesofim, either by word or thought, or before contributing maaser three times. By saying bli neder, one avoids the associated risks of a vow.

The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.