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Moshe’s eyelids, formerly at half mast, were now fully open, as he grabbed his phone out of his pocket. "Yossi!" Moshe exclaimed. "I need your help with something!"
"Of course, Moshe. Anything to help a friend. Is everything OK?" Yossi responded
"It’s more than OK!" Moshe gushed. "There’s going to be a 50 million shekel lottery drawing. Just think what I could do with the kind of money!"
"Uh, that’s great Moshe. But what does that have to do with me?" Yossi inquired.
"Yossi, my friend." Moshe paused. "We both know that you’re a Torah scholar. With the merit that you have, you can pray for me to win the lottery! You know what, and if I win, I’ll give you a percentage."
"OK, Moshe. It’s a deal."
With Yossi’s prayer behind him, Moshe went and bought the ticket. A week later his phone rang.
"We’re pleased to let you know that you’ve won 5 million shekel!"
"What?" Moshe yelled into the phone. "But this was a 50 million shekel lottery!"
"The sum total of prizes being awarded is 50 million shekel. You are one of the lucky winners!"
Moshe wasn’t sure what to think. Yes he’d won, but 5 million shekel was hardly the lottery winning of his dreams. Soon he had Yossi on the phone.
"Yossi, I won 5 million shekel in the lottery. I thought that I could win 50 million, but the truth is that the prize is being divided among a few different winners." Moshe took a deep breath. "Yossi, this means that I don’t have to give you a percentage."
"I don’t understand you, Moshe. You asked me to pray for you to win the lottery, and you won!"
"Yossi, I wouldn’t have entered the lottery if I had known that it was for such a small amount. There’s a weekly lottery for that amount, and I never asked you to pray for me for that. I only asked you to pray for me, because I thought I could win 50 million, so I don’t owe you anything!"
Who is correct? Does Moshe have to share his earnings with Yossi or not?
Answer of Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, zt"l:
The matter is very straightforward. If Moshe knew that the prayers of a Torah scholar would win him 4.5 million shekel, he would agree to give the Torah scholar a tenth of his earnings. Moshe’s argument, that he can prove that he wouldn’t have made a deal with Yossi for only 5 million shekel, because Moshe doesn’t make that deal for the weekly lotteries for smaller amounts, is just a lie! If Moshe insists on his contention, he should swear that his words are true. If Moshe refuses to swear, his words cannot be relied upon. The fact that Moshe never asked Yossi in the past, is only because the idea never entered Moshe’s mind before. When the prize was listed as 50 million shekel, the idea of praying for success occurred to him.
In summary:Moshe is obligated to honor his commitment to Yossi, and pay him a percentage of his earnings
(based on the book Kav V’naki, siman 314, page 287)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
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)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
