Rectification for Deceiving the Elderly
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Question
Good morning, dear rabbis! 1. In my work caring for the elderly and children, I recorded in my work diary hours that I did not work in order to receive payment from the company that employed me. Some of the elderly have already passed away, how should I rectify this? 2. There were times when I ate their (kosher) food without their knowledge, I would appreciate knowing how to rectify this. Thank you very much for all the guidance.
Answer
Hello
The answer to both points:
If the additional salary you received was at the expense of the company, you need to return to the company owners what you took unlawfully.
If the additional salary ultimately came from the patients you cared for, as well as the cost of the food you took from those patients, you must return to them the amount that was taken from them. If they have passed away, you must return it to their heirs. Even if you do not know who they were, you must make an effort to find out who they are and how much you owe them.
If you have no way to find out who they are, you should give the amount you took unlawfully to charity for "public needs." That is, to an organization or institution from which the entire community in that city benefits, and thus it can be considered that you have returned the debt to them. [This is not considered a complete return, but a partial one, so if later you find out who the elderly were from whom you took, you will need to return to them the amount you took].
Source
Talmud, Beitzah 29.
Shulchan Aruch, Choshen Mishpat, Laws of Theft, Siman 366, Se'if 2
Ben Ish Chai, First Year, Ki Tetze, 3.