Participation in payment if he ultimately backed out and did not participate
Question
Shalom.
A group of boys organized a Shabbat retreat to build camaraderie and made a joint purchase for the needs of that Shabbat. A few hours before Shabbat began, one of the boys backed out and did not come for Shabbat. Does he have to pay his share
of the purchase?
Answer
Shalom u’vracha.
Answer: If they bought more because he told them that he would be coming for Shabbat, he must pay. If they did not buy more on his account, he does not have to pay.
Source
Rema, Orach Chaim, siman 14, se’if 5: If he said to his litigant, “Go to such‑and‑such a beit din and I will come after you,” and then did not come, he must pay the travel expenses, by virtue of the rule that one who causes another to incur expenses based on his word is liable, similar to the liability of a guarantor. Likewise in Even HaEzer, siman 50, se’if 3, regarding the laws of canceling a shidduch (engagement).
