Renting an Apartment to Foreign Workers
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Question
Hello, I rented an apartment in Dimona to a private Haredi individual for the purpose of housing foreign workers from China. The area in Dimona is not a Haredi area. I would like to ask if I have transgressed any prohibition by renting this apartment, and if I am now required to do something about it. An additional question on the same topic: Is it permissible for me to mediate across the country in renting apartments to companies or private individuals for the housing of foreign workers from China, India, Moldova, etc.? Thank you very much.
Answer
Hello
There are two considerations in this matter. The first is renting an apartment to a non-Jew in the Land of Israel, and the second is renting an apartment to a non-Jew in proximity to Jews.
Regarding the first, if the non-Jew is not an idolater, it is permitted. If the non-Jew is an idolater, it is not preferable to rent to him initially. However, there are authorities to rely on if one is lenient in this matter.
Regarding renting in proximity to Jews, if it is a Jewish neighborhood or a building entirely inhabited by Jews, and the proximity disturbs the neighbors, it is forbidden to rent. However, if the area is not exclusively Jewish, or there is no disturbance to the neighbors, it is permitted.