Does giving charity to paupers of my city in the Diaspora take precedence over giving charity to paupers living in Israel?

Does giving charity to paupers of my city in the Diaspora take precedence over giving charity to paupers living in Israel?[1]

Yes, the accepted approach in the Poskim[2] is to prioritize the paupers of one’s locality for the distribution of charity, over those of another city, including even a city in Israel. Now, while there are authorities[3] which argue that the paupers of Israel always take precedence even over the paupers of one’s own city, practically, since if one does not provide for the local paupers they will have nothing to survive, therefore they are to receive precedence.

[1] See Michaber Y.D. 251:3; Shevet Halevi 5:135-2; Shaarei Tzedek 7:26; Pesakim Uteshuvos 251:6

[2] Shach 251:6; Bach 251

[3] See Birkeiy Yosef 251:2 in name of Kneses Hagedola; Yosef Ometz 19; Peas Hashulchan 2:29; Mishpat Tzedek 2:1; Leket Yosher 2:48; Tanya Igeres Hakodesh 9 p. 114a

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