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Can I use Ma’aser Money for Other Tzedakah Commitments?

There are times when a person may wish to give tzedakah in addition to ma’aser (one tenth of one’s earnings separated for charity) for an additional zechus (merit), be it in during an eis tzarah (a time of need), when making a mi she’beirach (a blessing made in shul with a pledge of a donation), or sponsoring a kiddush in shul in honor of a simchah (happy occasion) or a yahrtzeit.

The money pledged for any of the above may not come from one’s ma’aser money, mainly because it has become a separate davar she’b’chovah (obligation)—aside from the existing obligation of ma’aser—and also because this pledge was made specifically for the purpose of earning an additional zechus, which they would not wish to forgo. Even if one had in mind when making the pledge to pay with ma’aser money, thereby sidestepping the first issue, one should nevertheless use at least some of their own money in order to accrue that additional zechus. #473