What is the ideal upper limit a person should give to charity from their financial resources?
The Rambam rules that one fifth is the most desirable measure and also the upper limit — giving more is not piety but foolishness, as one risks becoming dependent on others.
Question 2
An unknown poor person says 'I am hungry — provide me with food.' What does halacha require?
Because hunger involves a risk to life, food must be given immediately with no investigation. Clothing, by contrast, does not carry the same urgency and may be investigated first.
Question 3
Which group is explicitly exempt from communal charity levies, even for the redemption of captives?
The Rambam rules that we do not impose charity assessments on minor orphans, even for the high-priority mitzvah of redeeming captives, and even if they are very wealthy.
Question 4
According to the priority order for giving charity, who has the highest claim on a donor's resources?
The Rambam derives from Deuteronomy 15:11 that 'your brother' comes first — a poor relative takes priority over the poor of one's household, who take priority over the city's poor, who take priority over those in other cities.
Question 5
What authority does a beit din (Jewish court) have over a person who refuses to give charity?
Because the commandment to give charity is reinforced by a negative commandment, the court may compel compliance with stripes for rebellious conduct and may seize property in the owner's presence — even on Fridays before Shabbat.