Community Magazine September 2019

Elul 5779 September 2019 45 Mabrook! 20th Anniversary servicing the community. You Judge! Be the What Goes Around Comes Around Steven has owed Harry nearly $30,000 for over twenty years. The outstanding debt was a result of Steven never paying Harry for the last shipment of merchandise delivered to his retail store. At the time of the sale Steven had personally guaranteed payment for the goods, but he avoided his obligation all along. In the interim, Harry closed his wholesale business and became a jeweler who regularly sold and repaired jewelry. This past summer, Steven’s wife brought her diamond bracelet to Harry for repairs, unaware of the $30,000 debt her husband owed Harry. Upon receiving the bracelet, Harry phoned Steven to remind him of his debt and to inform him that he was now in possession of his wife’s diamond bracelet, which he plans to sell and use the funds to finally collect the outstanding debt. Steven approached our Bet Din to summons Harry, but Harry initially refused to appear in Bet Din. Harry explained his position claiming that Steven was unwilling to resolve his claim in Bet Din for over twenty years. Harry eventually agreed to sign a binding of arbitration with our Bet Din, which clearly stipulated that the parties are entrusting our Bet Din to settle all matters of dispute between them. Is Harry entitled to withhold the diamond bracelet for collection? Or is he required to return the bracelet and continue with standard legal proceedings to collect his debt? How should the Bet Din rule and why? 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.