Author Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein

Retracting from a promise to give a gift or present:[1] Small gift: One who tells his friend that he will give him a small gift, [then although he retains the legal right to retract from his pledge if the recipient is wealthy, nevertheless,] if he does not end up giving […]

Thoughts of the heart – One who decided in his mind to do a certain deal or favor:[1] Once someone decides[2] even in his mind to buy a certain item, or agree to a certain matter, then it is proper for every G-d fearing person to fulfill it.[3] Thus, if […]

Chargeback – Canceling a purchase via one’s credit card company:[1] Canceling a purchase via one’s credit card company illegally or unjustifiably, breaches not only a prohibition of Michsurei Emuna, Mi Shepara, and the laws of Kinyanim, but furthermore makes the person considered a Mazik, as the credit card company often […]

Going back from a proposed favor:[1] If one told his friend that he will do for him a certain favor, and he has the ability to do so, then he should not go back on his word [and if one does so, then he is considered Michsurei Emuna, and the […]

If the market value of the product has changed, or other unexpected changes occurred:[1] Some Poskim[2] rule that it is forbidden [due to Michsurei Emuna] for either party to retract from the sale price even if the market value has changed. Hence, if the value of the product went up […]

Going back from an agreed upon price:[1] If a buyer and seller agreed on a certain sum for an item, then neither party should go back on their word and ask to pay more or less than the agreed upon sum. [If one does so, then he is considered Michsurei […]

1)       Michisurei Emuna – Ability to retract and no Mi Shepara but is considered untrustworthy [i.e. Michsurei Emuna]:[1] From a legal standpoint, words alone do not suffice for legally acquiring an item and finalizing a business transaction [even if there are witnesses who testify to the agreement[2]].[3] Accordingly, both the […]

1)    Mi Shepara – Ability to retract but liable to receive curse of Mi Shepara:[1] In certain scenarios, although one may still legally retract from going through with the agreed transaction if a valid legal acquisition has yet to take place, nonetheless, one who does so is liable to receive […]

1)     Inability to retract – No Kinyan was made: The following is a list of scenarios in which one may not legally retract from the pledged transaction even in the case that no valid legal acquisition has yet to be made: Acquisition of a pledge:[1] If a person made a […]

Refund policies of Country and business:[1] The inability to retract from a transaction once a valid acquisition has taken place, as well as the ability to retract from a transaction in the case of Mekach Taus, only applies absent of a store refund policy and in an area that does […]

Mekach Taus – Defects and wrong charge:[1] Even in the event that a fully valid acquisition has taken place between the buyer and seller, or giver and recipient, to legalize the transaction, nonetheless, in the event of a Halachically defined Mekach Taus, it is permitted for the party who was […]

When does the Kinyan take effect in a store? Once one has lifted the purchased item, and certainly once he has taken it out of the store into his car and house[1], then the item becomes legally his and he no longer retains the legal right to change his mind […]

Once a valid Halachic acquisition [i.e. Kinyan] has been made on the product that one is receiving or purchasing, then it is no longer legally possible for any of the two parties to retract from the deal, as the transaction and transformation of ownership has already taken place. This applies […]

1)    Inability to retract – Kinyan was made:[1] Once a valid Halachic acquisition [i.e. Kinyan] has been made on the product that one is receiving or purchasing, then it is no longer legally possible for any of the two parties to retract from the deal, as the transaction and transformation […]

Discussing product with a seller without intent to buy: While certainly there is no prohibition against entering a store without intent to buy, in order to observe the merchandise, which can eventually lead to one buying it then or in the future, nonetheless, based on the above it is seemingly […]

The prohibition against making a promise or agreement without intent to fulfill it:[1] Although, as will be explained, there exist various scenarios in which one retains the legal right to retract from a promise or agreement, and at times doing so is not forbidden and does not even consider one […]

The business ethics and morals of a Torah scholar:[1] The business transactions of a Torah scholar are done with truth and honesty. He answers honestly to yes and no questions. He is stringent with himself in his accounting, and gives and yields to others when he buys from them, and […]

The general obligation to be honest in business and keep one’s word:[1] One is to beware to deal honestly in business and not change his word [from whatever agreements that were discussed, and from whatever promises were made].[2] This means that when a person speaks and agrees to something with […]

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