THE BAIS HAVAAD HALACHA JOURNAL: Volume 5776 Issue XXXII Parshas Emor THE OVER-EXCITABLE PURCHASING AGENT When is an employer responsible for a purchasing agent’s poor decisions? By: Rabbi Baruch Levin

Carlos glanced at the bill of lading. It seemed like the same type of products the company usually ordered, but the quantity seemed a bit off. He ran over to Bob and remarked, “I know we need the bolts for the piping we manufacture, but 200,000 of them? It seems to be a bit much, doesn't it?” Bob took one look at the number and quickly went, bill in hand, to the purchasing department. Shmelka had his feet on the desk when Bob walked in. He quickly put his feet down and started typing furiously on his keyboard, making believe he didn’t notice that Bob had walked in. Bob cleared his throat to grab Shmelka’s attention. “What is the deal with this order?” Bob asked. Shmelka quickly looked at the P.O. number and typed it into the company system. “Oh, THAT one,” he smiled, “they had a promo, it was half the usual price – what an awesome buy!” Shmelka looked thoroughly pleased with himself. Bob stared at him in disbelief, then quietly said, “You must be kidding, 200,000 bolts? We won’t use that much in ten years; who knows, they’ll probably invent a better bolt by then!” Shmelka looked at Bob and said, “Unfortunately, boss, they don’t take returns…”