Dear Matzav Inbox,
There’s been a lot of hock lately about overpricing in the frum community and how frum families are often being taken for a ride. I’m not here to argue—I agree. I’m the biggest comparison shopper you’ll find. I run around to stores, checking out prices, and getting the best deals on everything.
But I think we need to remind ourselves of something important. Supporting Yidden is actually a mitzvah. The posuk says, “Vechi Timkaru Mimkar Leamisecha, Oa Kanah Miyad Amisecha Al Tono Ish Es Achiv,” which means, “When you sell or purchase from your brother, do not cheat him.” From this posuk, we learn that a Yid is supposed to support Jewish businesses when doing commerce. This means that one should buy products from a Yid and sell products to a Yid.
Now, is this an obligation or just good advice?
Some poskim rule that this din isn’t an obligation, but simply good advice, so one can choose to buy or sell to a goy over a Yid if he wishes. However, the majority of poskim hold that this halacha is an absolute obligation on every Yid, not just a matter of chassidus, encouragement, or good advice. Practically, this mitzvah is to be treated as an actual obligation. (For Matzav readers who want to know more: See Shu”t Rama 10; Tashbatz 3:151; Chasam Sofer C.M. 79; Pischei Teshuvah C.M. 156:6; Maharam Shick C.M. 31; Ahavas Chesed 5:6; Minchas Yitzchak 3:129).
Just as one is required to give precedence to a Yid in buying or selling, the same applies in renting. One is also to give precedence to hiring a Jewish employee. And it’s a Biblical positive command to lend money to a Jewish pauper. This applies even if the borrower is wealthy but temporarily in need of money. One is required to lend money to a Yid before lending to others.
Some poskim rule that if the Jewish-owned product costs much more than the outside product, then one is not required to buy it from the Yid. However, other poskim rule that one is obligated to give precedence to the Yid and buy from him even if his product is more expensive than the others and thus purchasing from the Yid would cause him a monetary loss. Some poskim hold that this applies even if buying from the Yid involves a great monetary loss. Others rule that one is not required to give precedence to a Yid if doing so involves a great loss, and one is only required to do so in a case of slight loss. Furthermore, even in the case of a slight loss, one is only required to give precedence to buying from a Yid if his price is equal to the market value. If, however, he is selling it for more than market value, then one is not required to buy from him for a greater amount.
So, let’s keep trying to get the best price—but don’t forget that it’s a mitzvah to support Yidden, and according to many poskim, this applies even if purchasing from a Yid involves more expense or a loss.
Sincerely,
Gedalya F.
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