From the Rav’s Desk: Separating Maaser from inheritance money

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  1. Question: [Monday, 25th Menachem Av 5781]

I recently inherited a sizable sum of money from a deceased relative. Do I have to separate Maaser from the inheritance money? He was an Orthodox Jew and I believe and assume that he already separated Maaser from the funds that he inherited to his heirs.

 

Answer:

Yes, you must separate 10% for Maaser even from inheritance money as is the law by any other income. You may choose to donate the money to a Torah or charity institution in the name of your deceased relative.

 

Sources: See Sefer Hayirah 213 “Even if he found something or received a present”; Shlah Miseches Megillah 27 p. 262; Elya Raba 156:2 in end “We give Maaser from an inheritance even from one’s father”; Pischeiy Teshuvah 249:1; Shiyurei Bracha 249:3; Ahavas Chesed 2:18-3; See Igros Moshe 1:143; Maaser Kesafim 3:19; p. 35; Pesakim Uteshuvos ibidMishpat Utzedaka 5:5; Sefer Maaser Kesafim 3:5-6; Pesakim Uteshuvos 249:24

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

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