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- P'ninat Mishpat
There is also a machloket regarding the Shulchan Aruch’s approach to the matter. The Shach (306:12) cites the Maharam as saying that only in the case of an inexperienced advisor does the Rif say that the reliance must be spelled out, whereas an expert should have understood he was being relied upon. While the Netivot Hamishpat (ad loc. 12) finds this logical, the Shach was bothered because the expert is always less culpable than the non-expert. Regarding the person who advised lending money to an irresponsible borrower, the Rama does not mention the need for spelling out reliance, but it might be talking about a case where that dependence can be ascertained (Shach).
We have seen so far that whether the advisor was a novice in the field or was an expert who got paid and gave bad advice, he would have to pay. In the case of the Heftzibah investments, let us take as examples, cases where the advisors were rabbis. Rabbis are for the most part novices regarding financial matters, and thus would seem to be liable even though they gave advice for free. However, a beit din who would judge such a suit would have to determine on a case by case basis whether it was made clear that the homeowner was relying on the rabbi’s advice. The likelihood of obligation would be higher in segments of society where the rebbe’s advice is usually accepted in a close to absolute manner [ed. note - one would imagine that the likelihood of a suit regarding such a relationship is remote.]. According to the aforementioned Maharam, in regard to relying on the advice, the novice rabbi would be like an expert regarding the lack of a need to clarify dependence. In a case where the advisor was involved in the promotion of the project, the Aruch Hashulchan (CM 129:3) says that he would be obligated even without stipulation of dependence.
These halachot teach us to what extent one upon whom people rely has to be careful before giving advice. As the mishna says: "Avtalyon says: Wise men, be careful in your words, lest you have to go to exile and you will be exiled to a place with bad water, and the students who follow you will drink the water and die, which would cause the name of Heaven to be defamed" (Avot 1:11).
P'ninat Mishpat (835)
Various Rabbis
108 - Interrogation of Witnesses
109 - Culpability for Bad Financial Advice
110 - Laws of Witnesses
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Multiple Agreements and Parties – part IV
based on final ruling of 80082 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: A Contractor’s Leaving the Job in the Middle – part I
based on ruling 84013 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Various Events FOR WHOM NOT TO VOTE
Rav Zvi Yehuda Kook stressed that Israeli politics is G-dly, so I have no problem answering this common question on a Torani blog. Also, Free-Will is a G-d-given right and obligation, to "destine one's fate" (R. Soloveichik, Kol Dodi Dofek, 67), so I obviously don't tell others how to vote. But once not a few (especially young) have already asked, a couple of personal words from experience and thoughts from chazal & Rav Kook which may be of help to others, mainly for whom NOT to vote.
P'ninat Mishpat Fallout from Failure to Install Elevator – part II
based on ruling 85007 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
