Our electricity was restored on Shabbat. The lights in the house went back on. Are we permitted to benefit from these lights even though they were restored on Shabbat? One is not permitted to benefit on Shabbat from a Melacha that was done by a non-Jew for the sake of a Jew. This is true even if the Jew did not request the favor. The Mishna Berura (276:2) explains that this … [Read more...]
The Avissar Family Ribbit Initiative Ribbit: Matters of Interest
Ribbit in Corporations Being that the Issur Ribbit is only applicable Bein Yehudi l’Yehudi, dealing with large banks or public corporations is usually not a Ribbit problem. However, if a Jew is guaranteeing the loan, in many instances Halachah views his obligation as if the guarantor himself is the lender and would therefore be prohibited. There are a surprising number of … [Read more...]
Expired Directives – The Obligation to Fulfill the Deceased’s Wishes
Summary Parasha & Halacha Shiur for Parashat VaYehi By Dayan Dovid Grossman shlit”a, Rosh Bet HaVaad The Ramban and R’ ‘Ibn Shou’ib write (as does the Midrash) that we learn from Yaakov’s actions in our Parasha that there is an obligation to uphold the will of the deceased – מצוה לקיים דברי המת. The Maharsham (ח"ב סי' קכ"ד) writes that we see that it is a … [Read more...]
What to do when your investor cuts you out
By Dayan Benzion Sprei Q: As a property manager in the Central Jersey area, I came across a good deal on a bank owned (REO) 2-family rental property. Being that it was a “cash only” deal, I approached an investor and proposed partnering up with him for this investment. He liked the idea and after working out the details, we left off that he would go down and close the deal. A … [Read more...]
Stepping on the Gas: Is it Permitted to Increase Supply to Drive Down Prices?
Rav Micha Cohn One of the many practical ramifications of sanctions in the middle east relates to the price of crude oil. This drop or increase is attributed to many factors: increased U.S. production of oil, lower demand from a slower China and Europe, manipulation of the oil market by traders, and rhetoric from Saudi Arabia that it is not going to cut output. Indeed, … [Read more...]