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Receiving gift

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Rabbi David Sperling

Tishrei 5, 5778
Question
Hello, My question relates to receiving gifts. I ordered two of something and received one. I informed the business owner who informed someone who works with him to "take care of me" the next time I purchased there. The next time I shopped there, I purchased two items and was not charged for either (one to make up the original missing item, the second "to make it up to me.") I protested and said I was ok with paying for the original amount, but he insisted (kindly). My question is, could there be any issue of theft if someone accepts what is clearly a gift and sign of goodwill, if they simply accept something they did not pay for? (I should mention that each item was valued at approximately six dollars so it wasn’t the price of a car!)Thank you sincerely for your help. D
Answer
Shalom, Thank you for your question. As long as the person who gave you the discount was allowed to do so – and that certainly seems to be the case in your question – then receiving the gifts is fine. As the owner gave his permission for the gift, it is a business investment on their part. They know that by treating you beyond the letter of the law they will gain your business, despite the fact that they made a mistake in pricing the first time around. There is a level of righteousness which involves never partaking of gifts – but that is certainly not an obligation. In this situation you are perfectly fine taking the gift to make up for the inconvenience caused to you. Blessings.
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