Q&A: A Borrower Who Was Forced to Cause Damage
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
A Borrower Who Was Forced to Cause Damage
Question
Someone borrowed an item from his fellow, and bandits forced him to break it (let’s assume they were minors). Is he obligated to pay, like in other cases of unavoidable accident?
Answer
Simply speaking, a borrower is liable even in a full case of unavoidable accident (regarding a person who causes damage, there is a dispute among the medieval authorities (Rishonim)). Even if the one who forced him was an adult, he is obligated to pay, except that he can then go back and sue the one who coerced him.