Q: 1) There is a Hilula at my kehila to raise funds for the Jewish religious school my daughter goes to: Can I use maiser money to pay for the tickets to the Hilula? (there is diner and refreshments served). 2) There will be there a silent auction (where people bid and the item goes to the highest bidder) with various items, most of them donated by members of the kehila and some on consignment, can I use Maiser money to pay for them?, How about buying tickets for a Chinese auction? and if I win can I keep the item?
A: On question 1, Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a advised to deduct whatever sum you would be benefiting from attending the dinner (Ma shenehene), that is the savings you obtained by not consuming your own food or eating at a restaurant that evening, according to what you normally would have done. The rest can be paid from maiser funds.
On question 2, on a Silent auction you can not use maiser money as you are actually purchasing the item for your personal use. (Unless you overpaid for the item). On a Chinese auction, as it depends on your particular luck to win, you may use maiser funds for buying the tickets, if you win you will have to give maiser from the value of the item.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
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