Community Magazine July 2014

TAMMUZ 5774 JULY 2014 65 YOU JUDGE ! BE THE YOU BE THE JUDGE and send your response to YouJudge@CommunityM.com Verdicts – and the accompanying rationale – will be reviewed by the Rosh Bet Din. The first three correct submissions received before the deadline will win a $50 gift certificate to a Community Magazine advertiser! Correct entries will receive honorable mention in the next issue when the Rosh Bet Din’s verdict is printed. Congratulations to last month's winner: Michail Sunitsky THE MATCHMAKER Simon, a middle-aged man who underwent two painful divorces, decided that it was time to become an observant Jew, and began to regularly study in yeshivah. Shortly thereafter, he expressed interest in remarrying, and was told that if he seriously wished to pursue the matter, he should speak with his friend Reb Mendel. A match was made, and after Simon went on two dates with Miriam, he received a phone call from Reb Mendel who said that the fee for his services is $5000. Miriam, meanwhile, was informed that her charge was $2500, and thus if the match proved to be successful, they must pay him a total of $7500. Simon and Miriam, who were clearly interested in each other, were appalled by Reb Mendel’s exorbitant fee, and rejected his outrageous demands. Happily, the couple married, and some two months after the wedding Reb Mendel summonsed them to Bet Din, claiming $7500. In Bet Din, Simon and Miriam explained that they were of Sephardic origin and never imagined that there exists a fee for matchmaking. Furthermore, Simon claimed that as a good friend of Reb Mendel, he thought it was obvious that the match was made in good will and not for monetary compensation. RebMendel countered that he is an experienced matchmaker and regularly collected payment for his services. His reasoning for charging Simon $5000, as opposed to only $2500 for Miriam, is that Simon is a high risk client, having twice married and divorced. Working with a high risk client always presents difficulties, Reb Mendel explained, and he was thus entitled to compensation accordingly. How should the Bet Din rule, in favor of Reb Mendel or the couple, and why? 732-531-2911 268C Norwood Ave Deal, NJ For all your catering needs - FULL FOOD MENU Come in for Special summer pricing! Ask us about our Bris Special for August!