You've just received your paycheck. After rent, groceries, tuition payments, and that wedding gift you need to buy, you're looking at what's left and wondering: "Should I really be giving away 10% of this?" Let's be honest. The idea of separating maaser can feel overwhelming, especially when money already feels tight. But here's something beautiful: giving maaser isn't just about the money you give away. It's about the relationship you build with wealth, purpose, and the Source of all blessing.
The Torah's Promise
"Aser te'aser: Tithe, so that you will become wealthy." The language itself is a guarantee: give maaser, and Hashem promises that you will not lose. In fact, the Gemara teaches that this is the only mitzvah where we are permitted to "test" Hashem. When you give maaser with trust, you invite blessing into every dollar you earn.
Why Maaser Matters: More Than Just a Number
Maaser, literally "a tenth," is the ancient practice of setting aside 10% of your income for tzedakah. But it's so much more than a calculation. When you give maaser:
- You declare that your money has a purpose beyond yourself. Every dollar becomes a tool for building a better world.
- You break the anxiety cycle. Instead of clutching your paycheck in fear, you learn to hold it with open hands, trusting that there will always be enough.
- You align your finances with your values. Your bank account becomes a reflection of what you truly believe in.
- You participate in something eternal. The tzedakah you give today can change lives, and that impact echoes forever.
And here's the part that sounds too good to be true but isn't: Chazal promise that you cannot lose by giving tzedakah. This isn't magical thinking. It's a spiritual law as reliable as gravity.
The Basic Framework: How Much Should You Give?
The absolute minimum tzedakah obligation per year is approximately five dollars. Yes, really. Even if you're struggling, giving something keeps you connected to the mitzvah.
This is the baseline that Klal Yisrael has adopted. Ten percent of your income goes to tzedakah. This is the number most people aim for, and it's considered the fundamental commitment.
Giving up to 20% is considered especially praiseworthy. This level shows extraordinary generosity and deep commitment to supporting others.
More than 20% is generally not allowed unless you are exceedingly wealthy, to ensure you don't impoverish yourself in the process of giving.
Pro Tip: When you start giving maaser, stipulate that you're doing so bli neder (without making a vow). This protects you if your financial situation changes and you temporarily can't afford to give the full amount.
What Income Requires Maaser?
This is where it gets practical. Maaser is calculated on net new wealth, which means money that increases what you have. Here's the breakdown:
Income That DOES Require Maaser
💼 Work Income
- Salary and wages
- Tips (yes, even cash tips)
- Bonuses
- Freelance income
- Business profits
🎁 Gifts & Winnings
- Cash gifts
- Raffle winnings
- Lottery winnings
- Money you find
- Gift cards
👨👩👧👦 Family Money
- Parental support (if not restricted)
- Allowance beyond basic expenses
- Inheritance
💳 Other Income
- Tax refunds
- Insurance payouts (beyond damage)
- Cash back from credit cards
- Credit card points that are sold
- Investment gains (when withdrawn)
Income That Does NOT Require Maaser
- Non-cash presents (like receiving a sweater or a sefer as a gift)
- Kollel stipend (it's meant for basic living, not wealth-building)
- Money from parents who specify not to take maaser (honor their wishes)
- Earmarked money (e.g., "Here's $800 for your rent" or "This is for furniture")
- Government assistance (Section 8, food stamps, etc., since it's for specific needs)
- Credit card rewards used directly (hotel points for a hotel room, not sold for cash)
- Rebates from the same company where you bought the item
A Note on Parental Support
If you're a young adult receiving financial help from your parents, ask them if they want you to take off maaser. If they say no, respect that. They're giving the money with a specific intent, and you should honor it.
Who Is Exempt from Giving Maaser?
Torah law is compassionate. Not everyone is obligated to give maaser:
- Children under Bar/Bas Mitzvah are not required (though it's beautiful chinuch if parents help them give)
- Teens receiving spending money don't need to take off maaser
- Anyone not making ends meet (this may require clarification with a Rav or financial advisor, and there's no shame in asking)
- People with significant debts (paying back debt takes priority)
If you can't afford to give maaser right now: It's still meaningful to calculate what you would give if you could. Keep track of it. When your financial situation improves, you'll have a record and can decide whether to "catch up" or simply move forward from that point.
When and How to Calculate Maaser
Maaser is calculated from your initial income. After that, you only separate maaser from the interest or profits earned from that original income.
The Timing
- Minimum: Calculate gains and losses at least once a year (similar to how you do taxes)
- Better: Calculate monthly or per paycheck, as it keeps you connected to the mitzvah
- Best: Set up an automatic transfer so 10% goes to a dedicated maaser account every time money comes in
Investment Income
Stock, bond, or crypto gains are calculated after you withdraw the money from the markets. If your portfolio goes up $1,000 but you haven't sold anything, you don't owe maaser yet. Once you cash out, that's when you calculate the 10%.
Pro Strategy: The "Lending" Method
You can give maaser money in advance of your earnings. Just have in mind that you're "lending" the money to your maaser fund, and you'll pay yourself back from future income. This is especially useful if you see an urgent tzedakah need before your next paycheck.
What Can You Deduct Before Calculating Maaser?
If you run a business or have significant work expenses, you can deduct certain costs before calculating your maaser:
✅ Allowed Deductions
- Income tax
- Business-related real estate tax
- Employee salaries
- Business insurance
- Travel costs for work (gas, tolls, etc.)
- Babysitting (if needed only because of work)
- Cleaning help (if needed only because of work)
❌ Not Deductible
- Personal living expenses (rent, groceries, clothing)
- Tuition (this is separate; see below)
- Car payments (unless it's exclusively for business)
- Health insurance (personal expense)
Alternative Opinion: There's an opinion that maaser is calculated only on what's left after all basic living expenses. We don't generally rule this way, but Rebbeim and Kollel members who are living on very tight budgets may rely on this opinion after consulting with a Rav.
What Can Maaser Money Be Used For?
Here's where maaser gets beautiful and flexible, especially if you stipulated at the outset that your maaser can be used for mitzvos, not just for poor people.
The Priority Hierarchy
- Poor people are the highest priority. If someone in need asks, you must give them something from your maaser immediately.
- Communal obligations second. If you received tuition breaks or community support, those should be repaid first.
- Optional mitzvos and community needs third. After that, maaser can support a wide range of worthy causes.
The Golden Rule
Maaser cannot be used for mitzvos that are required of you personally. You can't buy your own tefillin, mezuzos, or lulav with maaser money. These are your personal obligations. However, optional mitzvos and communal needs? Absolutely.
What You CAN Use Maaser For
💰 Direct Tzedakah
- Giving to individuals in need
- Matanos l'evyonim (beyond the required $4)
- Maos chitim for Pesach
- Supporting families in crisis
🕍 Community & Shul
- Shul donations (your name can be on it!)
- Sefer Torah campaigns (communal Torah)
- Coffee/snacks for shul
- Optional membership fees
- Aliyos and mishebeirachs (if voluntary)
📚 Torah & Education
- Post-high school tuition (boys & girls)
- Optional tutoring
- Hiring a chavrusa for your own learning
- Tips/bonuses for Rebbeim
- Prizes for children's learning
- Admission to shiurim
🎯 Special Circumstances
- Support for married children (if stipulated from the start)
- Transportation to/from yeshiva
- Guests who have nowhere else to eat
- Expenses for shalom bayis
- Money to keep peace between parties
- Lending money interest-free
The Tuition Question (It's Complicated)
Tuition is one of the most common questions about maaser. Here's the general framework:
It's essentially babysitting, not education
You're obligated to teach your son how to read
Consult a Rav if making ends meet is difficult
Teaching daughters Torah is not a strict obligation, so half can come from maaser
Both boys and girls, as this is considered supporting Torah learning
Important: Tuition is complex and very personal to each family's situation. When in doubt, consult your Rav.
What About Benefits to Yourself?
Here's liberating news: residual benefit from tzedakah is allowed. This means:
- You can donate to your shul and have your name on the plaque
- You can buy raffle tickets with maaser money (stipulate it's a loan if you win, and you'll pay it back)
- If a tzedakah organization gives a gift for your donation, you don't have to deduct its value
- You can use maaser for trips to kivrei tzaddikim or inspiring retreats, but only if they provide spiritual growth you can't get elsewhere
- You can spend extra to buy from a fellow Jew who needs the support
The "Required vs. Optional" Test
If you must pay for something to get it (like mandatory shul membership for a seat on Yom Kippur), you generally can't use maaser. But if it's voluntary or there's a free alternative available, maaser is fine.
Common Questions & Practical Scenarios
Q: I gave a loan to someone and they can't pay me back. Can I deduct it from maaser?
A: Only if you would normally give your maaser to this person anyway. If you wouldn't, you need to inform them that you're deducting the loan from your maaser account.
Q: Can I use maaser to visit my parents?
A: Yes, if there's no other way to see them without spending money, and if the visit is to fulfill kibud av v'eim. Just don't tell your parents you used maaser, since they might feel bad!
Q: What if I gave extra maaser this year? Can it count toward next year?
A: Ideally, stipulate in advance that any excess can roll over. This gives you flexibility and peace of mind.
Q: I want to buy seforim. Can I use maaser?
A: It's not ideal, but if you do, write inside the sefer that it was bought with maaser money. Better yet: donate toward the writing or publication of seforim for others.
Q: Can someone with a smartphone use maaser to buy a kosher phone?
A: Yes! This is considered removing a stumbling block and is an appropriate use of maaser funds.
Setting Up Your Maaser System
The best maaser system is one that's simple, automatic, and guilt-free. Here's how to build it:
Option 1: The Separate Account Method
- Open a dedicated checking or savings account labeled "Maaser"
- Every time income hits your main account, transfer 10% to the maaser account
- When you see a worthy cause, give directly from that account
- Keep a simple log (even just a note on your phone) of what you gave and to whom
Option 2: The Spreadsheet Method
- Create a simple spreadsheet with three columns: Date, Income, Maaser Owed
- Every time you earn money, log it and calculate 10%
- Add a fourth column: "Given" where you track your donations
- Your running balance shows how much you still need to give
Option 3: The Envelope Method
- Keep a physical envelope labeled "Maaser"
- Every time you get cash, put 10% in the envelope immediately
- When you see someone collecting or a worthy cause, you're ready to give
- For non-cash income, transfer 10% to your maaser fund digitally
🔧 Use the Kesef Maaser Calculator
Overwhelmed by the math? Our Maaser Calculator does the heavy lifting for you. Just input your income sources, and it calculates what you owe. Simple as that.
Your Action Plan: Start Giving Maaser This Week
Taking that first step can feel daunting, but remember: small actions build big habits. Here's your roadmap:
This Week: Make the Declaration
- Say out loud (or write down): "I am committing to giving maaser, bli neder, and my maaser can be used for mitzvos, not just for the poor."
- Calculate 10% of your last paycheck or income
- Set up a separate account or envelope for maaser
This Month: Automate the System
- Set up automatic transfers: 10% of every paycheck goes to your maaser fund
- Make your first maaser donation and start with a cause that speaks to your heart
- Create a simple tracking method (spreadsheet, app, or notebook)
This Year: Build the Habit
- Review your maaser account monthly and celebrate the mitzvah you're doing!
- At year-end, calculate your total income and ensure you've separated the full 10%
- Reflect: How has giving maaser changed your relationship with money?
Ongoing: Live with Open Hands
- Keep a small amount of maaser money accessible for spontaneous giving
- When you see a need, respond immediately, as this builds the middah of generosity
- Teach your children about maaser by involving them in choosing where to give
The Bottom Line
Giving maaser isn't about losing 10% of your income. It's about gaining a completely different relationship with money. One where you're not controlled by it, but where you control it with purpose and intention.
When you separate maaser, you're declaring: "This money is not just mine. It's a tool for building a better world." And in return, Hashem promises that you will never lose. The blessing that comes from giving with trust and joy is real, tangible, and transformative.
You don't have to be wealthy to start giving maaser. You just have to be willing to take that first step. Calculate 10%. Set it aside. Give it with a full heart. And watch how it changes not just your bank account, but your entire perspective on what it means to live a life of purpose.
Start this week. Start small. But start. Because every dollar you give with intention becomes a seed planted in eternity, and the harvest is beyond what you can imagine.
"Aser te'aser, lema'an te'asher."
Tithe, so that you will become wealthy.
Not just in money. In blessing, in peace of mind, in purpose. This is Hashem's promise to you.