Paying Wages on Time: How Torah Law Applies to Everyday Life

Paying workers promptly is not just a matter of good ethics — it is a mitzvah (commandment) stated in the Torah which tells us: “Be’yomo titen secharo—On the same day you shall pay his wages.” This teaches us that withholding payment, even for a relatively short period of time, is forbidden.

The basic halachah requires a worker to be paid on the day he completes the work. Since a halachic day goes from sunrise to sunset, the practical implication is that the wages for work completed before sunset must be given by sunset; the wages for work completed after sunset must be given before sunrise.

This mitzvah applies in many everyday situations, such as promising a child a treat, paying a babysitter or employee, and also paying rent. Here we present several Q&As that explain how these halachot (Jewish laws) apply in daily life.

Candy for Cleaning the Room

Miriam tells her eight-year-old one afternoon: “If you tidy your room now, I’ll give you a lollipop.” The child cleans up and finishes before evening, but Miriam then realizes she’s out of lollipops, so she promises her daughter she’ll go out the next morning to buy her one.

Halachah: Once the child completes the job, Miriam is obligated to give the candy that same day — in this case, before sunset. (If the child had ended tidying up after sunset, the candy should be given before sunrise.) Delaying past these times is a Torah violation of “Be’yomo titen secharo” and in some cases, also of the mitzvah, “Lo talin pe’ulat sachir” (“Do not withhold wages overnight”).

Exceptions:

If Miriam had told her daughter at the start, “You’ll get the lollipop tomorrow,” she would not be violating the mitzvah.

If it’s clear the child doesn’t mind waiting, there’s also no violation involved.

Furthermore, some halachic authorities state that when a parent promises his own child a reward, the mitzvah of paying wages on time doesn’t apply.

The Babysitter’s Monthly Pay

David employs a babysitter who comes on a regular basis and is paid at the end of each month. One month, the babysitter finishes her last shift on the 30th, but David delays payment until the 3rd.

Halachah: If the agreed payday is the last day of the month, payment must be given before sunset (if she worked that day) or before sunrise (if she worked at night). Delaying past that is a Torah violation. But if the payday is in practice after the end of the month (as is the case for many employees), then delaying payment is not actually a violation of the mitzvah.

Nonetheless, according to Rabbinic law, delaying wages for no good reason without the employee’s consent is forbidden.

Renting a Lawn Mower

Moshe borrows his neighbor’s lawn mower and agrees to pay 20 dollars per day. After returning the mower, Moshe says, “I’ll bring you the money next week.”

Halachah: When renting tools, clothing, or other movable objects, the same mitzvah applies as when hiring workers: payment must be made on time. Delaying without mutual agreement is forbidden.

Special case: Chazal (the Talmudic Sages) debate whether this mitzvah also applies to renting land. However, it definitely does apply to renting a house or apartment (because a house is considered “detached and then reattached”). Therefore, paying rent late is almost certainly a Torah prohibition.

The Worker Who Says “Pay Me Tomorrow”

Shimon hires a handyman to fix a leaky pipe. After finishing the job in the morning, the handyman says, “Don’t worry, you can pay me tomorrow.” Shimon is relieved and plans to give him the money then.

Halachah: According to some halachic authorities, even if the worker says this or something similar after finishing a job, the employer is still obligated to pay before sunset (or sunrise, if the work was completed after sunset). The difference is that if he does pay late, he does not violates the Torah’s mitzvot.

Exception: If Shimon and the handyman agreed before the job began that payment would be the next day, then Shimon is certainly permitted to pay then.

Sending Wages with a Messenger

A hired worker finishes a project before sunset, but the employer has already gone home and wants to send his teenage son to deliver the wages.

Halachah: This is a matter of debate. Since the employer is obligated to ensure prompt payment, sending wages through a messenger is risky unless he later confirms that the payment was actually delivered on time. The safest way is to take care of it personally.

The mitzvah of paying wages on time isn’t limited to large corporations or big salaries. It touches the way we treat children, neighbors, babysitters, and anyone to whom we owe payment. Promptness in paying not only avoids transgression but also builds trust and fairness in our relationships. The Torah reminds us: When someone does work for you, even something small, do not delay giving them what you owe.