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From: Russell Hendel <rhendel@mcs.drexel.edu>
Date: Sun, 15 Nov 1998 16:22:09 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Giving Schnorrers during Davening--Sources!!!

Three quick thoughts on dealing with schnorrers during davening.

1) >Whoso closeth his ears from the cries of the poor--
          also, his prayer is an abomination (Proverbs 21,13)<

2) The Rambam is EXPLICIT (Shma, Chap 2, 15) that
          > Between chapters, if someone says hello to you, you
          may respond back!!!<

  A non-verbal response of giving money to a schnorrer can certainly be done

3) What about "concentration and distractions"? Well...while reciting
Shma I undertake to accept all of Gods commandments...what is more natural
then but to hear someone asking for charity and my giving it.

On the contrary, if my giving charity intefers with my concentration on
accepting Gods commandments, then I am not concentrating properly.

In conclusion, it seems recommended to give charity to schnorrers during
davening and to have in mind that we are performing God's commandments.
This is certainly permissable between Chapters of Shma, and in Psookay
dzimra and all other parts of davening (except the Shmoneh Esray).

Russell Jay Hendel; Phd ASA Rhendel @ mcs drexel edu