יום ג Date: 17 Elul, 5776 (9/20/16) – Bava Kama Daf 112 {Eliezer}

HITCHHIKING HERDS

[112a bottom] Rava: If children were in possession of a cow which was borrowed by their father (before he passed away), and they incorrectly assumed that it was the property of their father, and then they slaughtered it and consumed it, they would be required to pay for the value of meat at the cheapest price (two-thirds of the market value) [since even though the act was Ones (of no fault of their own), they must still pay some amount based on the Hanna’ah (pleasure/benefit) that they received from it].
Chashuchei Chemed: A taxi carrying a group of friends saw another boy looking to hitchhike on the side of the road. They told the taxi driver to pick him up, and stated that they would let him ride for free, since they were planning on paying anyway. When the taxi dropped the friends at their destination, the original riders ran off without paying and the taxi driver demanded that this original hitchhiker pay for the fare. Even though the boy planned not to pay for his ride, since he did get some benefit from the taxi (ie: saving time or having more convenience), he was liable to pay at least some amount for the ride.

D-E-ep Thoughts: We should not look to “get away with things” because, one way or another, situations will play out accordingly and G-d will ensure proper results. Since the bottom line will be the same, we should want to have done the ‘right things’ on record rather than be punished for acting improperly (and especially knowing that our actions will not make a true difference anyway).