This week’s Torah portion talks about the mitzva to emulate Hashem, as the Torah says, “and you shall walk in His ways” (Devarim 28:9).One of the most fundamental ways we can emulate Hashem is by emulating Hashem’s kindness.

The following true story is a dilemma that arose as a result of an act of kindness.
 
Aron was driving on Erev Shabbos, and saw his friend Meir walking back form the grocery store. Meir was holding four shopping bags and was walking in the hot summer weather. Aron slowed the car down and called out to Meir. “Meir, why should you walk in the heat? Can I please give you a ride”? Meir replied, “No thank you, it’s okay, I don’t mind the exercise”. Aron responded, “No Meir, I insist, why should you strain yourself in this heat?” After a few more minutes of Meir resisting, Meir final relented and climbed into Aron’s car. Aron drove several minutes out of his way to drop Meir off at his home. “Thank you Aron”, Meir said, as he waved good bye. “Have a great Shabbos. Stay cool. It’s supposed to be over 100 degrees.”
 
Aron drove home and parked his car on the side of the street. He then began to get ready for Shabbos.
Aron’s car was parked there all Shabbos and Sunday. The weather was very hot the entire week. On Monday afternoon Aron opened his car for the first time since Friday. He was hit by a wave of a revolting smell. Holding his shirt over his mouth, Aron looked into car for the source of the offending odor. In the back seat he saw a shopping bag. Aron opened it up and saw that it was raw chicken that had been left in the car for nearly three days, in the heat. Apparently Meir left this bag in the car when he was given a ride.
 
Aron was nauseated by the smell and bought a strong air freshener to remove the odor. It did not help at all. He bought strong upholstery cleaner, it did not help. He had the upholstery professionally shampooed, but it was to no avail.
 
Finally, in frustration Aron brought his car to an auto body shop. The mechanic looked at the problem and told Meir that the only thing that could be done was to change the car upholstery completely, which would cost $2000.
 
Now Aron was very frustrated. $2000 for offering someone a favor! Aron picked up the phone and called Meir. “Meir, do you remember when I gave you that ride on Friday”.
“Sure, thank you so much.
“Did you happen to leave anything in the car?”
“Not that I know of.”
“Were you missing a bag of chicken by any chance?”
Meir said, “How did you know?” Aron replied, “Well you left it in my car. The problem is that it stayed in my car for three days and the rotting smell ruined the upholstery. It will cost $2000 to repair.” “Oh, I am so sorry to hear that. I feel bad”, said Meir. Aron, now a little annoyed said to Meir, “I think it would be right for you to pay for the damage.”
 
Meir was taken aback. “Aron, I really appreciate the ride, but I don’t think I am obligated to pay for this. First of all you pressured me to take the ride. Second of all, you should have opened the car earlier and taken out the chicken before it got so bad. Lastly, I didn’t cause any damage. I just accidentally left my bag. The damage was caused because you kept it locked up in the heat for three days.”
 
They both agreed to take this case before a beis din.
 
According to Jewish law, does Meir have an obligation to pay anything to Aron?
 
See Veharev Na Volume Three page 152

 
Answer to last week’s moral dilemma

This story is discussed in Chashukei Chemed Baba Basra page 269

Rabbi Zilberstein writes based on a similar ruling by Rav Yosef Elyashiv, that Ari is allowed to pick up the wallet. If it would be forbidden to pick up a wallet, people might hesitate to save others in the future.
This is based on the teaching of our sages (Tosefta Gitten 3,13) that if a doctor harms a patient accidentally in the course of trying to save a patient, the doctor is exempt from financial restitution. This is because if a doctor would be liable, doctors would be hesitant to save others.
Our Sages also teach (Sanhedrin 74a) that if one, in the course  of saving another from a Rodef (pursuer) damages some property, he is exempt from restitution. This is because if he would be liable, people would not want to rescue another from a Rodef.