Paying More to Get Back to the Sick Person Quickly?
Daily Study of the Noahide Code of Laws
The Divine Code for February 17, 2023
Today: Page 491 - 492
Topic Chapter 1:10
The law (see yesterday) refers to a situation in which the buyer's item that is
exchanged is equal in value to the merchandise that he took (in the
opinion of the merchant). For not all merchants are equal in their
opinion of the value of exchanged merchandise, and most want only
money in exchange for a sale.
However, the buyer may intend to additionally benefit the merchant,
by exchanging (through a middle-man who is trusted by the merchant)
an item that is greater in value than merchandise he is taking. This
applies if it will bring profit to the merchant, and if it seems clear that
the merchant will be happy to gain this item that is higher in value (and
if this is being done specifically in a place that uses such bartering and
exchanges in the markets, and buyers pay with items they wish to give
to the sellers). With these conditions, and if time is of the essence
and the matter is pressing, or for a great need (such as a sick person
who needs the merchandise for health reasons), but the owner is not
present to agree to the sale and the exchange, then it is permissible for
a buyer to benefit the merchant by making the exchange and leaving it
in the care of a middle-man whom the merchant trusts with such
matters. In this scenario, there is no theft or extortion involved.
Reading Schedule of the Divine Code
Yesterday's Study Topic: 1:9
Tomorrow's Study Topic: 1:11 -1:15
Curious about the whole page? You can read it in The Divine Code.
Sources: The Divine Code (4th edition) by Rabbi Moshe Weiner
Angelique Sijbolts is one of the main writers for the NoahideAcademy.org website. She contributes for the admin of the website in English and Dutch. She teaches Hebrew to beginners and intermediate students at the Academy.
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