I was speaking to a Yeshiva guy recently about his meals. Really more about the lack of decent options, and what he planned to do about it. Obviously contraband items were a definite, as in most yeshivas, and he would need to cook some of his own meals to fill in the gaps left bare by those charged with filling the gastronomic needs of these young men, who need to achieve their spiritual goals with the requisite energy and fervor.
One of items he intends to use is a crockpot, with goulash and chulent his meals of choice. The pot is actually fairly medium sized, and I asked him what he intended to do with the leftovers. His plan was to eat his fill, and then sell the rest.
Hmmm. I understand a guy who decides, "I will make enough chulent and goulash for everyone, and sell it to them, if they want it." But I don't understand how it gets to the point, where it is not thought of as a business, per se, but a way to recoup the costs of the food that you ate, and make a little money on the side if it comes up when there's a little left. So, your buddy comes into your room hungry, and you have a portion left, and you SELL it to him?
Imagine if this happened in grade school. How often do kids have enough of their snack, and are willing to give it away? Should they be encouraged to sell that half empty bag of chips? Have the words "Up for grabs," lost all of their meaning?
I can understand not wanting to be taken advantage of. I get not wanting to be the one who consistently pays for all the food, and then ends up the provider for all. So why not split the costs with a few guys, and then eat it together when it's ready.
I know that the system that's in place for many of these men is one in which they need to learn all the angles and find ways to make some money to support themselves, but everyone is in the same boat. So going back to the grade school example, why not trade? Give the leftovers to the guy who gives haircuts, the guy who charges to use his treadmill, the guy who rebinds seforim. Everyone wants an angle, and they're finding it...at each other's expense.
3 comments:
Your point about sharing the leftovers makes sense. However, that is not the case here.
There are always people who are providing certain services. The guys who bind and give haircuts are giving up their free time, as well as supplying a certain expertise, so there is no reason why they shouldn't charge for it.
The guy who makes the cholent makes a lot more than he would make just for himself. If he has a good hand with it, then his cholent is prized, and guys will want it on a regular basis. If the cook goes to the grocery store, buys the supplies every week, in greater quantities, better quality (meat) and more expensive products than he would normally spend if it was just fo him, then uses his special flair to prepare and watch the pot, why shouldn't that be compensated? Also, if guys wan it, and the cook is paying $20 - 30 dollars a week, it is really a true burden on him, or more likely, his parents.
I DO agree that the concept of charging for rides when you are going to the same place shows a true lack of chesed, but I think providing gods and services that are exlusive should be rewarded financially.
As I said in the post, if you want to make it a business, make it a business, but don't charge your friends and acquaintances for leftovers.
its not leftovers if you make more than you can eat with the other people in mind. once you are doing that it already has the status of being made to be sold. however it is a fine distinction and knowing this yeshiva guys father if he has a problem with it he will put a stop to it, he is a person who is very much against charging peole for rides.
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