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The board members sat around the table, fidgeting in their seats, uncomfortably aware that the yeshiva was somehow depending on them to address its financial woes, despite the fact that the board had tried every viable option, and hadn’t come up with any real solutions.
The president sat upright in his chair, and cleared his throat. "Let’s face the facts. We don’t have much of a solid donor base. Despite the publicity and extensive planning, the Chinese auction didn’t draw much of a crowd, the promotional CD almost brought in enough to cover the production costs, and the attempt at a lemonade stand proved that sometimes it’s better not to make anything out of lemons. We have to try a new tactic."
The audible grumbling heard around the table gave the president just enough time to fish in his pocket and withdraw a business card. "You see this" the president pointed to the elegant card in his hand. "It seems this is our only answer. His name is Shlomo. He’s a big name in the fundraising business. He has great leads, and he draws in money wherever he goes. There’s just one catch. He takes a 51% cut."
The board members would have liked to protest, but they knew it was useless. 51% sounded more like extortion than a commission, but it was painfully obvious that it was that or send the students packing. Within minutes, the president had Shlomo on the phone.
The board members went to sleep that night a little more easily, anticipating the sack of money that Shlomo would bring back after he had concluded his travels. Finally, the day came. As the president sat with Shlomo, debriefing him about his successful fundraising outing, a smile began to spread over the president’s face. Until he got to the price tag.
"51% plus travel expenses! Who ever heard of such a thing? How could you possibly charge that?!" the president thundered.
"What do you mean?" Shlomo responded evenly. "I said that I charge 51%. We agreed on that. I don’t derive any personal benefit from the travel expenses. Why should that have to come out of my pocket?"
Who is right? Is Shlomo allowed to charge travel expenses in addition to a 51% commission?
Answer of former Rishon Letzion, Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, zt"l:
It is shocking that people are not embarrassed to charge such a high commission, and demand travel expenses on top of that! It is clear that, had the donors known that such an amount was being reduced from their donations, they wouldn’t have donated at all to this yeshiva.
It is very important to be careful with the money belonging to a yeshiva! A person who exemplified this behavior was my father in law Rabbi Nissim David Azran, zt"l, founder and Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Beit Shmuel. Rabbi Azran was so careful with the yeshiva’s money that he would always travel by bus, so that he would never have take a taxi on the yeshiva’s account. Similarly, he would never make a personal call at the expense of the yeshiva.
In summary:
The yeshiva should not pay Shlomo for his travel expenses.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor Fee Despite the Buyer’s Refusal?
based on ruling 83117 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
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)
Rabbis in Midrash
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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
