Beis Yosef D’Ulem, known to many as Rabbi Friedman’s Shul, was filled with a resounding kol Torah on Monday night, April 20. The Kew Gardens Hills Rosh Chodesh Yarchei Kalah for chodesh Iyar brought together learning groups from across Queens as working baalei batim carved out time to sit down with mar’ei m’komos and immerse themselves in a serious sugya b’iyun. As Rabbi Shaul Neuman noted at the outset, witnessing a community unite on this advanced level provides tremendous chizuk.

Following the chaburah learning, the tzibur heard a practical shiur in hilchos ribis from Rabbi Neuman, who serves as the Rosh Beis Din of the Business Halacha Institute and Beis Horaah. This background set the stage for a discussion on real-world scenarios. Rabbi Neuman began by laying out the y’sodos: for ribis to apply, there must be a halvaah, or a mechanism functioning as one, coupled with an added benefit tied to the time factor, known as s’char hamtinas maos. He highlighted common issues like offering two prices based on payment timing or prepaying for goods, which can halachically function as a loan.

The shiur also addressed p’sikah: locking in a price before a stable market rate exists. Rabbi Neuman noted that in halachah, the US dollar is considered a stable currency, while the value of items fluctuates relative to it. He also touched on real estate: If a builder asks a buyer to release escrow funds early in exchange for a price reduction, the money transforms into a halvaah, raising serious concerns of ribis mi’d’Rabbanan.

The evening concluded with a late Maariv followed by a hot fleishig buffet. An impressive representation of Queens k’hilos participated, including Agudath Israel of Kew Gardens Hills, Congregation Ahavas Yisroel, Congregation Charm Circle, Beis Midrash Zichron Shalom, Beis Yosef D’Ulem, Bet Midrash Ohel Michael, Chevrah Beis Dovid D’Lantzut, Kehilat Derech Emunah, Kehilas KGH, Kehilas Torah Temima, Kehilat Ohr HaTorah, Khal Nachlas Yitzchok, Yeshiva Ohel Simcha, Young Israel of Queens Valley, and the L.A.T.E. shiur. When so many b’nei Torah gather with a focus on limud haTorah, it leaves a lasting impression, and anticipation for the next Yarchei Kallah is already building.

By Shabsie Saphirstein