By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the Five Towns Jewish Times

It was the talk in numerous shuls this past Shabbos.

“Would you have given the man the twenty dollars?”

“No, I don’t trust anyone.”

“Of course, I would have – it was a chillul Hashem. The people that gave – didn’t know until later.”

THE INCIDENT

Last Thursday night, Yeshiva World News reported on a story about a con man gas attendant on the Palisades Parkway that was victimizing the religious Jewish community. He apparently told a number of people how a religious person had said that he had forgotten his wallet at home, and that he (the gas attendant) had to pay the man’s twenty dollar gas bill.
The gas attendant was confronted by a Chassidish man who was also scammed by the gas attendant and posted a video of the man’s admission to save others from the scam.

THE CHAYEI ODOM

The Chayei Odom writes (Klal 68) that one should pay full value for a Mitzvah (not bargaining for it at all). In other words, when a price for an esrog is stated, one should not try to haggle down the price, because this cheapens the Mitzvah.

By the same token, when faced with an opportunity to prevent a chillul Hashem, it is quite understandable why people would jump to give the twenty dollars “back to the attendant.”

THE TUR

On the other hand, there is a fascinating Tur on this past week’s parsha. Avrohom Avinu tells the Bnei Chais (Bereishis 23:8) “uPeegoo li b’Efron ben tzochar” speak on my behalf to Efron that he should sell me the Maaras HaMachpeilah. Why is the language of “Peegoo li” employed here? Rashi explains that it is merely a language of request. The Tur, however, cites an opinion that Avrohom is asking the Bnei Chais to speak on his behalf to Efron. But do not approach him directly, rather “bump into him.” Do this so that he will not charge me an exorbitant rate and take advantage of me.

NO CONTRADICTION

It could very well be that there is no contradiction between the concept discussed in the Chayei Odom and the words of the Tur. The Chayei Odom is telling us not to bargain for a Mitzvah. The Tur is telling us that we should make efforts not to be taken advantage of.

CONCLUSION

So what about the case of the con man gas attendant? Chazal tell us, Kabdeihu v’chasdeihu – honor him but be concerned for scams.
I am not sure who the poster of the video is, but he has done at least two wonderful things:

1] He saved klal Yisroel from wasting a lot of money.

2] He showed us how wonderful so many yidden are – in trying to minimize a chillul Hashem (one that was non-existent).

Thank you.

The author can be reached at [email protected]