Recently, Rav Avrohom Yehoshua Soloveitchik told someone this story:
A wealthy man had come to Eretz Yisroel to complete a business deal which netted him a profit of $12 million. He wished to distribute the maaser to a worthy organization, and someone recommended for him to give the money to Yeshivas Brisk. He came to Rav Avrohom Yehoshua and handed him a check for $3 million. Rav Avrohom Yehoshua thanked him for his donation, but told the man that he would first need to verify that the money is from kosher sources before he can accept it.
Rav Avrohom Yehoshua then instructed his assistants to investigate the “sources” of the money. They were to verify three things about the business:
a) none of it is stolen
b) none of it comes from Shabbos desecration
c) none of it is from immoral activities
After some time, the research turned out to be inconclusive, and they reported back to Rav Avrohom Yehoshua that they could not determine with certainty that the money was 100% kosher. Rav Avrohom Yehoshua returned the check to the donor, uncashed.
We’re not finished yet.
Rav Avrohom Yehoshua continued: “And do you think that all during this time I couldn’t sleep because I was wondering about the outcome? No, I slept like a baby without giving it a second thought.”
For Rav Avrohom Yehoshua, to take money from questionable sources means to cross a big bright red line, one that should not - and will not - be crossed, just like Shabbos and eating kosher food is to us. Most of us would not be tempted to desecrate Shabbos for a financial gain, even if it were substantial, because Shabbosto us is a “red line,” never to be crossed for any purpose. And we wouldn’t lose sleep over it, either.
What is your red line?
