This week we continue discussion of different situations with regard to the obligation of paying on time (bal tolin).

Bal tolin applies to rental of moveable items (on condition that it is rented from a Jew, and the rent is not charged in advance). This includes recreational equipment such as motorboats, Jew-skis, snowmobiles, golf clubs and so on. One is obligated to pay for use of such equipment at the end of the allotted time of use (unless one of the previously mentioned exemptions apply).

If the worker normally gets paid after sending a bill for his fee, there is no bal tolin. Therefore, accounting and legal fees are typically not subject to bal tolin because accountants and lawyers do not expect payment before sending a bill for their services. However, if the client agrees to pay to the completion of a specific job, there is bal tolin.

As we mentioned in the past, if the third party hires the worker then there is no bal tolin. Accordingly, if the employer’s secretary orders services from a service provider, there is no bal tolin.

1. Much of the information for this essay is taken from “Halachos of Other People’s Money” by Rabbi Yisroel Pinchos Bodner.

Text Copyright © 2009 by Rabbi Yehonasan Gefen and Torah.org Visit Rabbi Gefen’s new blog at rabbiygefen.blogspot.com. Rabbi Gefen’s new book, The Guiding Light, is now available! To order, please contact Rabbi Gefen at [email protected] or 00972 52 761 9935.