[Avodah] Can I not give to a tzedakah collector if he smokes?

[Micha Berger]

On Mon, May 18, 2009 at 02:19:27PM -0600, Jay F Shachter wrote:
: In contrast, if I pay this gentleman's Stork Club membership, I do not
: think that I will be credited with the mitzva of tzedaqa.

I think you would, but it's poor triage. Given that that money would
come out of money budgeted for things like helping someone just simply
eat, and that (unlike his fellow club members) you can't quite call him
"aniyei irkha", it's not the ideal place to put your tzedaqah money.

This, more than the obligation to help someone ween themselves off of dei
machsero, that limits giving to someone who can manage, but is depressed
over the loss of their former riches.

I think also aniyei irkha qodemin also means that you're pushed to give
money to people you identify with more, thus naturally causing people
to place more weight when deciding what they could afford to give.

Tir'u baTov!
-Micha

-- 
Micha Berger             Today is the 39th day, which is
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