Daily Halacha - Choshen Mishpat Laws, 21 Tammuz 5777

If a father gives his young child a prayer book in the synagogue and the child tears it, is the father obligated to pay for the damaged prayer book?

It is forbidden for a father to give his young child a prayer book in the synagogue, even if the child is crying, if there is concern that the child might tear the prayer book, as this is considered direct damage. If the child tears the prayer book, the father is obligated to pay for it.

If youths were playing ball and one injured another, is the one who caused the injury obligated to pay?

When youths are playing ball and during the game one of them gets injured, the one who caused the injury is exempt from payment, since each participant was aware of the risks involved [See Shulchan Aruch 421, 5].

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