Ros. Responsa 29 a

Ros. Responsa 29 a

Sefer Torah

1941

Bibliotheca Rosenthaliana

Aharon (Aron) Schuster

Schuster

Orah Haim

TRUE

May funds received from insurance as compensation for the burning of two Torah scrolls, be used for other purposes, if a member has also donated a Torah scroll?

During the destruction of the utensils of a synagogue also tow Torah scrolls were burned, one Kosher for use, the other one void. And the leaders of the congregation had come to an agreement with the insurance company responsible to pay for the damages according to specified conditions, so that would not loose everything if something happened. And after they assessed the loss in detail according to the rules, the company agreed to pay an appropriate amount in compensation for what was destroyed. They sent to the congregation a detailed account, in which they listed the compensation amounts for each of the lost items, including amounts for the Torah scrolls. And behold before this notice was sent, one of the members of the congregation arose to donate out of the goodness of his heart a Torah scroll to replace the oen that burnt. And now the question arises to the rabbi if it is permissible to use the insurance compensation specified for the lost Torah scrolls for the congregations maintenance treasury or for some other purpose.