Community Magazine January 2016

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. TERRIFIED OF PARIS Sam, a commercial real estate representative, booked a flight from New York to Paris less than two weeks after the recent large scale terrorist attack. With a hotel booking for three nights, Sam scheduled numerous meetings with investors and developers interested in doing business with the company he represented. On the eve of his flight, Sam phoned his parents to let them know that he was going to Paris for a few days. His elderly parents were horrified by the news, and felt that it was completely reckless of Sam to travel to Paris during such turbulent times. They insisted that Sam cancel the trip and reschedule it in another two months. Sam explained to his parents that he was leaving to the airport in a half hour and that it was simply too late to cancel. However, his mother did not handle the news well and began experiencing a panic attack. At that point his father commanded him to cancel his trip and Sam reluctantly complied. However, the last minute cancellation came at a cost. The airline charged a substantial amount for the change, and the hotel charged him for the first night of his stay on the company credit card. Although Sam’s boss consented that his actions are clearly not grounds to fire him, he was nevertheless upset and insisted that he reimburse the company for the loss sustained. Sam replied that the situation was beyond his control, and he was compelled to cancel his trip out of respect for his parents’ wishes. Sam argued that had he fallen ill the day of the flight and had to cancel, he would not be forced to pay out of pocket. Similarly, he claimed that all of the circumstances compelling him to cancel should be considered, and he should not bear the expenses incurred. IS SAM OBLIGATED TO REIMBURSE HIS BOSS OR NOT? HOW SHOULD THE BET DIN RULE AND WHY? TEVET - SHEVAT 5776 JANUARY 2016 41