The Talis Exchange and Other Lost Stories

Borrowing without the owner’s knowledge is usually halachically equivalent to stealing! In general, one may not use an item until one receives permission from the owner.

Rescued from the Ashes

At the Shabbat Table

When Push Came to Shove

At the Shabbat Table

An Oily Start

At the Shabbat Table

A Yiddishe Cup

At the Shabbat Table

The groom who just couldn't break the glass until the Rav came up with a briliant idea...

Water Slide

At the Shabbat Table

Unjust Desserts

At the Shabbat Table

The man who sent a mud cake for mishloach manot and the cake made its way to...

Difficulty in Returning Stolen Funds

Who Should Pay a Ticket?

My friend picked up a trempist (hitchhiker) who did not put on his seatbelt. Police pulled the car over and gave a ticket to the driver (not the passenger) for driving with someone not buckled. Should the passenger reimburse my friend?

Radio Interference

Returning Another Person’s Theft

I was at a coffee shop, and an ostensibly religious Jew (Reuven) left intentionally without paying. I heard the angry reaction of the proprietor (Shimon) and decided to pay instead of Reuven, hoping to reduce the chillul Hashem. Did my payment exempt Reuven? What about paying kefel (double payment for covert theft)? How did it affect Reuven’s teshuva process? Also, were the berachot Reuven made on the food l’vatala when it turns out retroactively the food was stolen?

Stealing by Accident?

Buying With Intention to Return

A Teacher’s Responsibility for Theft of Phones