By COL.org.il, VIN
The rabbi of the popular “Halacha and Minhag Corner” in the Sichas Hashavua weekly bulletin, Rabbi Yosef Ginsburg, was asked the Jewish view on beggars who try to panhandle from drivers stuck at a red light.
Ginsburg, who is the rabbi of Omer, firmly replied, “The phenomenon of traffic-light beggars endangers life. They stand in a perilous place and endanger themselves by having to dodge cars when the traffic light turns green. Similarly, one shouldn’t give a ride to a hitchhiker standing at a traffic light.
He explained his psak as follows: “Hilchos Tzedaka rules that if a person turns to you for charity, one shouldn’t send him away empty-handed, as the verse says (Psalms 74:21): “Do not let the crushed ones be turned back in shame.”
“Our sages even say, ‘Let us be grateful to the deceivers, for were it not for them, we would sin everyday (for ignoring the poor).’
“Nevertheless, the phenomenon of traffic light beggars endangers life. They stand in a perilous place and endanger themselves by having to dodge cars when the traffic light turns green. They indirectly endanger the drivers who speed up or slow down to avoid hitting them, and may cause an accident. While the danger is less with traffic at an intersection than in the middle of the street, it is still dangerous and no person is allowed to intentionally put himself in such danger.
“Besides traffic light beggars, we also see a phenomenon of people giving out propaganda sheets or sales announcements at traffic lights. Now commercial companies have joined the fray by giving out daily advertising material. It is likely that the economic situation will only increase the dimensions of this phenomenon.
“Giving donations or accepting propaganda material, etc. encourage this phenomenon, so we are collaborating in this danger to life. It’s best to ignore all entreaties and offerings of this kind. Since one is doing so to prevent danger, there is nothing wrong with it.
“Similarly, one shouldn’t give a ride to someone standing at the intersection. If you want to give a ride to someone, you should signal him to move on ahead carefully and then stop for him a reasonable distance from the intersection.
Source: See Kesubos 68a, Rambam Hilchos Matanos Evyonim 7:7, Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 249:4.
get a life stop judging i read the comments for entertainment but realy lets all get along
it’s maybe because he needs to look always neat that you have to give him more!maybe he used to be a respectful person…
You can’t say that. They do not have money and they ask people to help them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1) Why is the Psak Din ONLY about Tzedakah, and not about buying a newspaper, water etc. @ a traffic light?! And to the readers comments: 2) The Rebbe gave to EVERYONE (even to the Russian Mafia…), so how about emulating the Rebbe?! 3)Tzedakah is a Mitzvas Esseh Min HaTorah, & one of the GREATEST Mitzvohs, and it also hastens the coming of Moshiach, so the nickel or dime your giving MAY be doing all of that, & if the receiver is a con artist, so what have you lost: a nickel a dime etc. So where is common sense?!… Read more »
while some beggars look needy, several of them, dont. specifically theres one russian man – clean shaven in his 50’s to 60’s who always has good clothes and neatly ironed pants.
are we meant to give him money just because he accosts us?
they have more money than we do — think about it — a nickel here and dollar there — how many people do they stop — what 100-200 dollars a day — hey — times it by 6 — thats 1000-1200 a week — how many people make that money? should I quit my job and join them???
When is COL or anyone going to find out the truth about the Russian mafia in 770, I mean, come on, it’s too shady, they all fit the same profile, put up the same act and there is never a new russian guy, always the same actors.
I don’t know for sure, but COL should find out and reveal the truth.
I mean, there is plenty of people who really do need help so why give it to a Mafia?
well to # 3 you shouldnt bee giving them b/c they annoy you but because the fact that youre giving tzedaka to the poor!
!i laways give money
when i see ppl. on the street
and the only reason why i do is b/c there so annoying and dont leave you alone!!!!!!!!!!
Your article is misleading. Anyone who sees your picture subconsciously thinks he doesn’t have to give to any beggars. The woman in your pic is NOT a street beggar.
Someone once told off the Rebbe for giving Tzedokoh at night. He asked the Friediker Rebbe about it who told him that someone who complains about such a thing probably gives no Tzedokoh at all.
VEDA’L.
The Psak is only about stopping traffic & asking for donations -and nothing to do with regular “street beggars” which the Rabbi says one is obligated to give to.