Daily Halacha – Laws of Choshen Mishpat, 24th of Tammuz 5777

What is the prohibition of delaying wages?

It is a Torah commandment to pay a worker on time, as it is written: "Pay him his wages on the same day." If one does not pay wages on time, they transgress five negative commandments and one positive commandment.

Therefore, someone who hires a babysitter to watch their children at night must pay her that same night. If payment is not made that night, this violates the prohibition of delaying wages [Shulchan Aruch, Choshen Mishpat 339:4].

If someone rents an item or vehicle from another person and doesn't pay at the agreed time, does this violate the prohibition of "bal talin" (do not withhold)?

The prohibition of delaying payment applies not only to withholding wages from workers but also to delaying payment for rented items [ibid, 1].

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