Enacting a Halachically viable return policy  By Dayan Yehoshua Grunwald Q: I have a store and it is too costly to accept returns from everyone that claims that the merchandise was defective. What can I do to resolve the issue of Mekah Ta’ut (a mistaken purchase)? A: There are two distinct issues with sales of defective merchandise: one of Genevat Da’at (tricking the buyer) … [Read more...]

Is one allowed to own shares in companies which trade on Shabbat, sell Hametz or lend with interest? By Dayan Shlomo Cohen The Legal status of a Corporation In law, a corporation is a separate identity from its stockholders. A "veil" separates the stockholder from the assets of the corporation, which are not considered as his property, but those of the corporation. The … [Read more...]

By Dayan Baruch Levin Q: I own an apartment building which is managed by a non-Jewish manager. He oversees all maintenance work, such as landscaping, gutter cleaning, snow removal, etc. Although I do not dictate to him when these tasks should be done, I happen to know that he often has workers get them done on Shabbat or Yom Tov. Am I required to ensure that this does not … [Read more...]

Paying for Damages Caused While Intoxicated / Adapted from an article by Dayan Mordechai Lichtenstein, Bet HaVa’ad, Yerushalayim Last year, our Purim celebration was exceptionally joyful. All of us were having a great time, the singing and dancing was lively, the Divre Torah were uplifting, the food was exquisite, and the wine – was flowing. One of our guests, Yaakov, was … [Read more...]

The Propriety of Taking an Oath in Bet Din according to Halacha1 Introduction The name of Hashem, as we would expect, must be used very carefully. Due to its great sanctity and holiness, there are rules and limitations as to when and how it may be used. One might surmise that it should also be prohibited to take an oath using the name of Hashem. The Rambam (Sefer … [Read more...]