By: Rabbi Daniel Dombroff Tough Questions for Schools and Parents The costs of living in the Orthodox community are rising every year. Along with regular expenses, the cost of Yeshiva tuition is also an increasing financial burden. Likewise, many schools are struggling with financial challenges and are having difficulty making ends meet. How can they pay their teachers when … [Read more...]
Ramifications of a Broken Kinyan : Reneging on an Agreement Part III
By: Rabbi Yosef Greenwald The Offense of the Mi ShePara As we discussed in the previous segments, when one reneges on a Kinyan Kessef (backing out after the money was given, before taking the item into one’s possesion), he is subjected to the following curse: “Mi shepara, m'anshe dor hamabul um'anshei dor hapalaga, hu yifra etc.”. He (Hashem), who avenged the generation … [Read more...]
Ramifications of a Broken Kinyan: Reneging on an Agreement Part II
By: Rabbi Yosef Greenwald Did a broken Kinyan (transactional act) work in the first place? As we discussed last week, breaking a Kinyan Kesef – a transactional act where money was paid or a down payment was made on an item or moveable object – carries with it the Mi ShePara curse. Once a person reneges on a completed Kinyan, there is a discussion among the Poskim if it … [Read more...]
Matanot La’Evyonim FAQ’s
By Rav Mordechai Lebhar, Posek for the SHC and Rosh Kollel LINK, Los Angeles Q: How much do I have to give for Matanot La’Evyonim? A: Ribbi Yaakov Haim Benaim, one of the great sages of Morocco in the 18th century, in his work Zera Yaakov (§11) is the common source quoted regarding this question. Following a lengthy discussion, he finds support in the commentary of the … [Read more...]
The Crown Jewels Part 1: Who is responsible for stolen collateral?
By Dayan Yosef Greenwald I was recently walking in Midtown Manhattan and I passed by a famous bank. Outside of the bank was a glass display case with a beautiful collection of jewelry, including necklaces, watches and earrings that were obviously worth millions of dollars. I discovered that the jewelry was actually the crown jewels of a European royal family. The country was … [Read more...]