Tithed Repayment

Question Boruch tried to help his friend Gershon. He lent him $5000 in cash and gave him goods on credit. When the time for repayment arrived, Gershon was unable to meet his commitments. Boruch now wishes to know whether he can deduct the outstanding amounts from his ma’aser (charity tithes) account. Alternatively, could he make…

Contagious Messages

Question Yankel wished to send an e-mail message to Berel. By mistake he sent it to Shmerel. Unfortunately, the file attached to the e-mail was infected with the latest strain of the Klez virus (so new that Shmerel’s anti-virus software didn’t spot it). The moment Shmerel opened the attachment, the screen went blank. When the…

Celebrations And Thieves

Question There were two celebrations in town on Shabbos. Avrohom made an "aufruf" (the bridegroom being called to the reading of the Torah before his marriage) for his oldest son and Boruch’s youngest son became bar mitzvah. Many guests came to participate in the festivities, occupying apartments which were vacant on this day. Unfortunately, one…

Sign And Share

Question Menachem (on his passport he is called Jean-Claude) arrived from France and bought himself a beautiful apartment with a stunning view. When he moved in, Menachem went down to the storeroom, which was included in the sale, in order to see how he could store the many items he had brought with him. To…

The Imprisoned Ladder

Question Sheftel and Fishel, who each own a shop in the same mall, were making renovations. Sheftel’s decorator brought a ladder to help him paint. Fishel asked whether his decorator could also use the ladder. Sheftel agreed, but stipulated that it must be returned at the end of the day. Unfortunately, the ladder remained locked…

Verbal Interest

Question Rav Yisroel finally published his new book, assisted by generous loans from supporters. May he express his thanks to these supporters in writing, on the title page of his work? Answer In Tractate Bovo Metzia (75b), Rebi Shimon ben Yochai states that it is forbidden for a borrower to be the first to greet…

Interest In Favors

Question Zevulun lent Yissochor $10,000. He now wishes to borrow some books from Yissochor. Does receiving such a favour from the borrower raise a problem of ribbis (forbidden interest)? Zevulun has often borrowed Yissochor’s drill in the past. Today he needs the drill urgently. He knocks at Yissochor’s door and one of the children answers….