A chair that broke during use
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Question
Shalom, honorable Rabbi. I sleep on a bunk bed (on the top) in the yeshiva. I have a simple plastic chair belonging to the yeshiva, and sometimes I stand on it in order to reach the shelf above the bed. Once, the chair broke while I was standing on it. The cleaning manager, who gave me the chair, told me that if this is normal use of the chair I am not obligated to pay, but if it is abnormal use then I am obligated to pay. Is standing on such a chair in order to reach a shelf considered normal use or abnormal use with regard to liability to pay for the damage? It is important to mention that I had stood on the chair like this several times in the past and nothing happened, and I did not know that damage might be caused.
Answer
Shalom u-vracha
Standing on a chair in a common, ordinary manner of use is considered normal use, and you are exempt from payment.
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