What is chomesh? חומש

A fifth

Chomesh (חומש) means "a fifth": giving 20% of your income to tzedaka rather than the standard 10%. The Rambam calls giving a fifth the choicest way to fulfill the mitzvah — mitzvah min hamuvchar (Mishneh Torah, Gifts to the Poor 7:5).

Where the measure comes from

The Gemara (Kesubos 50a) records the enactment of Usha: one who gives generously should not give away more than a fifth, so that he does not come to need help himself. A fifth is thus the generous measure with a built-in wisdom — giving that sustains the giver too.

When the ceiling lifts

The Alter Rebbe writes in Tanya (Igeres HaTeshuva ch. 3) that the fifth-limit does not apply when giving serves as pidyon nefesh — a remedy for the soul; like a person who spends freely to heal his body, one may spend freely to heal his soul. Chassidus in general, and the Rebbe in particular, encouraged open-handed tzedaka beyond strict measures for those who can.

Living it

Practically, chomesh works exactly like maaser — income, minus the cost of earning it, times 20%. Yafutzu's ledger tracks either measure and credits every gift you give against it automatically.

Common questions

Should I give maaser or chomesh?

A tenth is the accepted baseline; a fifth is the choicest measure for those who can. It's a decision to make honestly with your own situation — and with your rav.

This guide shares sources, not rulings. For your own situation, ask your rav.

Sources: Rambam — Gifts to the Poor 7 · Tanya — Igeres HaTeshuva · Gemara — Kesubos

Keep learning: What is maaser money? · The eight levels of tzedaka · Aser bishvil shetisasher

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