Halachot and Customs
Is it permitted to give charity to a non-Jew?
Question
A non-Jew knocked on my car window and begged for charity. He said he is a father of 8 and has nothing to feed them. I took pity on him and gave him 100 shekels. Is it permitted to give charity to a non-Jew? Or is there a halachic prohibition involved?
Thank you for the answer.
Answer
Shalom and greetings,
It is permitted to give charity to non-Jews because of darchei shalom, and as the Rama wrote in Yoreh Deah (siman 251, seif 1), we support the poor of idolaters together with the poor of Israel because of darchei shalom. The Shach (sif katan 2), in the name of the Ran, wrote that what is written, together with the poor of Israel, is not דווקא, but rather even non-Jewish poor people alone are supported because of darchei shalom.
With blessings,
Hillel Meirs
