Scaring a Fellow Jew

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May one scare another person and is he liable for damages?[1]

It is forbidden to scare another Jew. One who does so, such as he released a scream from behind him or suddenly appeared in front of him in a dark area, although he is not liable below in this world, he is liable in the heavenly courts.[2] 

If the scare caused injury:[3] If one scared another Jew and caused him injury, such as he fell sick due to the scare, then if there was no physical contact between the aggressor and the victim, he is not liable to pay for damages below in this world, although will be held liable in the world to come. If however he scared him through contacting his body, then he can be held liable to pay for damages. 

 

 

[1] Admur Choshen Mishpat/Nizkei Guf Vanefesh 5; Michaber 420/32; Gemara Baba Kama 56a; Rambam Nezikin/Chovel Umazik/2/7

[2] Admur ibid; Michaber ibid

[3] Michaber ibid

 

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

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