This sugya focuses on the topic of accepting/rejecting gifts. We discuss the various sources in Tanach and Chazal that discourage accepting gifts. The Poskim debate if this is merely a Midas Chasidus or an actual chiyuv.

There is also a debate regarding the reasons for this stringency. Is it because it shows a lack of bitachon by depending on a person’s assistance, or perhaps we are concerned that the giver is not giving with a full heart, therefore opening up the possibility that this may be a case of gezel? These two reasons have many Halachic ramifications and are discussed in the choveres.

Among the questions discussed:

• ·         Kollel stipends
• ·         Learning programs with financial incentives
• ·         accepting Tzedakah
• ·         Chassan/Kallah gifts
• ·         birthday gifts
• ·         Accepting money intended to be used to perform a mitzvah (to enhance Shabbos/Yomtov, Daled minim, etc.)

In Parshas Lech Lecha, we find Avrohom was not willing to accept gifts from the king of Sodom, but nevertheless accepted gifts from Paaroh. Why the difference?