Guard without a Weapon
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Question
Suppose a person hired a guard to watch over a certain place. The guard arrived for his shift, stood at his post, dressed in security uniform and carrying a weapon. However, at the end of the shift, it was discovered that he forgot to insert the magazine into the weapon. Fortunately, nothing happened, no terrorist appeared, and there was no need to use the weapon. The halachic question is whether this guard is considered to have fulfilled his duty of guarding and is entitled to receive his full salary, or since he did not have the essential means of guarding (the magazine), he is not considered to have guarded and is not entitled to payment, or perhaps entitled to partial payment? The question also arises regarding the halachic definition: is it considered that he guarded and should be paid, or not?
Answer
Peace and blessings
He receives only a small part of his salary, about a third, since the main salary is for actual guarding and not just for peace of mind.
Source
Dayanim of the Beit Hora'ah
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