Lesson #61: Paying in Cash
Let us imagine a synagogue with a damaged roof, and it became clear that the repairs are urgently needed and cannot be delayed any further. The Rabbi sits down with the Board of Directors and says, “Friends, we need to fix the roof immediately. Water is now dripping every time it rains.” All the board members in attendance nod their heads in agreement.
“Ok, so let’s get an estimate right away,” the Rabbi says, “and we’ll split the cost.” Once again, everyone agrees. The Rabbi asks one member to take responsibility for collecting the money. After a few quick phone calls, he gets an estimate, and everyone at the meeting writes a check. However, there are five board members who could not attend, and the fellow in charge of collection knows that he will need to speak to them and ask them for their contribution.
As everyone is walking out, one of the other board members approaches the fellow in charge of collecting, and says, “When you speak to so-and-so, ask him for cash. He’s having a hard time right now, and his checks have been bouncing. We don’t want any trouble, so please have him pay his share in cash.”
When this board member who is in charge of collecting speaks to that fellow, and asks for cash, is he allowed to explain that the other board member warned that his checks are bouncing?
The answer is that saying this would be in clear violation of the prohibition of Rechilut, which forbids sharing information which would sow friction between two people. Certainly, the collector is permitted to act upon the information shared with him, and ask for cash instead of a check in order to avoid problems. However, he is not permitted to tell this board member that the other board member spoke about his checks bouncing, as he would certainly resent the fact that this other board member is spreading such information about him. Instead, the person collecting should explain that the shul is worried about having problems with the contractor and so they are requesting cash instead of checks. He may not divulge that somebody mentioned that his checks were bouncing.
It should be clarified that it was entirely permissible for the first board member to share this information with the collector, to warn him about the other board member’s checks. This information needed to be shared for an important, constructive purpose, and it was shared privately, and not in the presence of the entire board. However, even though the first board member did nothing wrong, the collector is not allowed to tell the other board member what was said about him, as this will create tension and animosity.
It must also be emphasized that Rechilut is forbidden regardless of the speaker’s intention. Even if one has no intention whatsoever to evoke feelings of ill-will, or to instigate a controversy, nevertheless, if his words will likely have such an effect, then they may not be spoken.
We have to be smart when it comes to information which we happen to receive. The fact that we’ve received information does not mean that we should or may share it. If sharing the information will cause tension between two fellow Jews, then this is not allowed.