5 Lessons

Payment to Worker’s for a Flawed Job
The defendant (=def) is a yishuv which hired the plaintiff (=pl) to take care of the lighting and sound systems for an event for 7,500 shekels. Both systems malfunctioned at the event. There are mutual complaints by the sides as to whose equipment and/or mistakes were the crucial factors that caused the problems. Despite sending an expert witness to evaluate the situation, beit din cannot determine who is to blame for which problem, but there were problems in the information that def provided pl that could result in sound problems. Does def have to pay in full for incomplete results?
Rabbi Yoav Sternberg | Kislev 5768

Canceling a Band’s Performance
The defendant (=def), an organization in Sderot, engaged the plaintiff (=pl), a local band, to play at a Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration. Pl canceled a performance planned for that night primarily because def’s celebration would add to its local exposure. Subsequently, an important institution decided to join the Sderot celebrations and bring a band with them for free. Def totally canceled pl’s engagement, including pl’s request to appear briefly. Pl is suing for the 5,000 shekel agreed upon fee plus damages of the lost publicity.
Rabbi Yoav Sternberg | Kislev 5768

A Will That Was Not Publicized
A man wrote a will leaving some money to his daughters and granddaughters and the rest to tzedakah (but none to his sons). The will was left by his lawyer, who was the only person who knew it existed. The halachic inheritors questioned its validity.
Rabbi Yoav Sternberg | Kislev 5768

A Will To Bequeath Bank Accounts
Before dying, a sick man left the following will: “... I hereby command and transfer all of my property including money in bank accounts and future rights ... I give from today and one moment before my death to Yeshiva X.” The natural inheritors questioned the will’s validity.
Rabbi Yoav Sternberg | Tuesday, 3 Kislev 5768
