Can I Demand a Refund for a Building Fund Donation that Stalled?

Anash.org feature: Dayan Levi Yitzchok Raskin, Rov of Anash in London, explores interesting Torah questions and halachic dilemmas including requesting a refund for a building fund donation that stalled, leaving some mezuzos up when checking and how quickly must they be checked, Playdoh and Kashrus, and using a water cooler on Shabbos.

The following issues are discussed by Rabbi Raskin in this week’s episode:

1. A story about Kli Sheiny:[1]
2. Visiting Eretz Yisroel from the Diaspora whilst there’s a difference of Sedra, may I have an Aliya in their reading?[2]
3. Some years ago, I donated a substantial sum to a building campaign for a specific institution. It is now evident that the building isn’t happening. May I request that my donation be reimbursed, and I will redirect those funds to people who are in need?[3]
4. Our Shul building is no longer viable structurally, and we are planning to pull it down and rebuild. Meanwhile, we have relocated to temporary accommodation. The demolition may take place in several months from now. Are we allowed to remove the Mezuzos from the old building now (and affix them in our temporary abode), or do we have to leave them in place until just before the demolition?[4]
5. When checking Mezuzos of a home, should I remove all the Mezuzos in one go, or take some for checking and once I’ve returned with the first batch, to then remove the remainder for checking?[5]
6. Is there a maximum amount of time for the removal of a Mezuzah for checking?[6]
7. In the past, I have boiled Cream of Tartar in a mixture to make Playdoh. Do I now need to kasher that pot?[7]
8. What is the brocho for Tortillas made from wheat flour?[8]
9. Last week we discussed the removal of raisins from a salad and pieces of meat from a cholent. Don’t these actions raise the question of borer?[9]
10. May one draw water from a water-cooler on Shabbos?[10]

To listen to Panorama of Halacha on a podcast, click here.

[1] ספר ‘חסידים הראשונים’ ע’ 126.

[2] ספר יום טוב שני כהלכתו פ”ט סט”ז.

[3] שו”ע יו”ד סי’ רנז ס”ז. צדקה ומשפט פ”ט ס”ו.

[4] שו”ע יו”ד סי’ רצא ס”ב; דעת קדושים שם סוף סק”א.

[5]  

[6] ס’ עמק ברכה (פתח תקוה, חש”ד) ע’ לא; שכל טוב סי’ רצא סק”ז.

[7] יש אומרים שנשתנה כל כך ולכן אינו אסור באכילה. בין ישראל לעמים (טהרני) פי”ח סס”ב.

[8] הם נעשים בבלילה עבה, ורגילות לקבוע עליהם סעודה. ראיתי שכתב שדוקא האוכל מהם בלי מילוי – שאין דרכו בכך – יברך ‘מזונות’.

[9] המדובר היה לגבי ברכת הנהנין. לגבי שבת, תלוי אם רוצה לאכול הצימוקים עתה או לאחר זמן. בבשר עוד הבדל: חתיכה גדולה, או הרבה חתיכות קטנות, דאז שייך בורר.

[10] שלחן הלוי (בעלסקי) ח”א ע’ עג ואילך.