Q&A: Stealing from the Yeshiva
Stealing from the Yeshiva
Question
Hello and blessings.
I have three questions:
1- Disposable items — the yeshiva manager, who is the financial owner/administrator of the yeshiva, forbade bringing disposable items up to the rooms. Is there room to interpret his intent to mean that where there is no excessive or inconsiderate use, it would be permitted? After all, it is clear that for a sick student it would be permitted to bring them to the room, so presumably his intention was not to forbid it in such a case?
2- Charging a cellphone — the head of the yeshiva publicly forbade charging any kind of cellphone in the yeshiva. He later added that someone who uses his cellphone discreetly in the dormitory and the like is allowed to charge it. The question is: is it permitted to charge a portable charger, and from that charge the cellphone? Someone argued that surely there is no basis to forbid charging the portable charger (after all, just as it is obviously permitted to charge Bluetooth earphones, it is permitted to charge a portable charger for the purpose of charging the earphones), and from that point on I am already the owner of the battery and using my own property?
3- Portable air conditioner — the yeshiva (the owner/financial administrator) forbade using one. In our room there is still a student who unfortunately was not updated that after the first two commandments from God, the story continued, and stealing was forbidden. a0
The question is whether I am allowed to benefit from his theft. And if it is allowed, then when he leaves the room and does not turn off the air conditioner, am I obligated to turn it off (returning a lost item to the yeshiva — saving the thief from theft)? a0
I feel obligated to emphasize my appreciation for the Rabbi’s investment in answering. It is extremely exceptional, and really not something to be taken for granted at all.
Thank you!
Answer
- I didn’t understand. Why not bring disposable items up to the rooms? I need an explanation of the background to this prohibition in order to answer.
- I didn’t understand why not. Theft of electricity? You’re charging the phone through the portable charger. What’s the problem?
- I think there is an obligation to warn about theft. Still, it is preferable and proper to warn him before you go to the administration. Though I find it puzzling that they expect the students to suffer in the heat in order to save on electricity. One possibility is that you could donate to the yeshiva the electricity costs of the portable air conditioner. However, it may be that the problem is not only theft; they may be concerned that it will overload the electricity because the dormitory’s electrical system is not set up for high consumption. That is already a different issue. a0
- With great pleasure.
Discussion on Answer
And does he need to pay the money back?
It seems one should not do this against the yeshiva’s instructions. But as for payment, I am inclined to think there is no obligation to pay. Regarding utensils, if they were ultimately lost, then yes. As for charging, you are allowed to use electricity for your needs, so perhaps there is a “since” argument — that you could have used it for another purpose (that was in your power). It is also a small amount. If you want to be certain, donate some amount to the yeshiva.
(Another questioner:) I was in a yeshiva where it was forbidden to bring a cellphone. And the head of the yeshiva said that whoever charged one was stealing. Likewise, he would forbid taking utensils (repeatedly) from the dining room (apparently out of concern that they would not be returned and would get lost).
My question is: if a student violated the above (charged a cellphone, brought utensils up to his room), did he violate a prohibition?