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One of the most important rules in monetary Halacha is hamotzi mei’chaveiro alav ha’re’aya (see Mishna, Bava Kama 3:11). Whoever is in possession of the money in dispute has a strong advantage over the one who is trying to claim it away from him. Therefore, the plaintiff needs to bring proof, because if a doubt will remain, the defendant will win in very many cases.
The Rama (Choshen Mishpat 25:2) expands this to doubts not only on what happened but also to disputes on relevant halachic opinions. The fact that a majority of poskim rule in the plaintiff’s favor does not necessary enable him to extract money from the defendant. The Shach (Tokfo Kohen 123) takes this shockingly far. It is enough for a small number of poskim to rule in a manner that the money’s possessor can keep it. This idea is called "kim li" – allowing the defendant to say, "I am sure the small minority who would have me win are correct."
Some of the greatest rabbis protested the implementation of kim li. Rabbi Yonatan Eibshitz (Urim V’Tumim to Tokfo Kohen 123-124) argues that if we follow the Shach: "Heaven forbid, the Torah will not be followed, and we will have a situation where whoever is stronger will prevail ... if so, poskim and authors toiled for nothing, bringing proofs and analyzing in depth, because the one in possession can always claim kim li, and Heaven forbid, our Torah will be hefker."
Rav Yaakov Chagiz (Shut Halachot Ketanot I:182) used even stronger language: "If so, you have undone all of choshen mishpat … I say about such a case: How long will you go about destroying all of Israel’s money and giving a hand to criminal elements? I am afraid that over time all of the work of the gemara will be undone, as people will say: Kim li like this Tanna or this Amora."
We add to the question. Would someone who fears Hashem be so lenient to rely on the opinion of a tiny minority of poskim in the laws of kashrut?!
Let us return to our parasha’s p’sukim. The Torah commands us to appoint judges and emphasizes: "Justice, justice shall you pursue." Many quills have been broken trying to explain the repetitiveness. We suggest that the Torah is stressing that we need to build a system of justice that will promise justice that is realistic for the situation. Batei din who embrace the Shach’s approach will remain empty. Who will sue in beit din when the defendant can win by finding one or two agreeable opinions?
But the Shach’s prominent opinion still exists, so how do we deal with it? Our teacher, Rav Zalman Nechemia Goldberg, taught us that whenever litigants sign an arbitration agreement that reads "for strict law or for compromise," it gives beit din the right to decide between opinions in a halachic debate without allowing the defendant to claim kim li. In our arbitration agreement, we are even more explicit in allowing the dayanim to use their wisdom to arrive at decisions irrespective of kim li. May this be a step in the direction of Yeshayahu’s view of a future of proper justice in Jerusalem.
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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.
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The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
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(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)
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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)
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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.
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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.
