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You have a plumber, electrician, babysitter, etc. doing a job for you. There is a Mitzva of "Byomo Titein Schoro" paying in the same day. If you pay by check is it considered "Byomo Titein Schoro"?

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This question could have a broader appeal if the title included some English words that describe what it's about. –  Isaac Moses Oct 8 '10 at 16:30
Thanks for fixing it. –  Isaac Moses Oct 8 '10 at 19:46
Issac - you can always edit it if you feel there is a need to be clearer. –  Gershon Gold Oct 8 '10 at 20:52

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The mitzvah of Byomo Titein Schoro/Lo Tolin is made up of an aseh and a lo ta'aseh.

According to The Halachos of Other People's Money by Rabbi Bodner, paying by check paturs you from both, i.e. you didn't do the aseh, but you didn't violate the lo ta'aseh.

R' Ezra Basri (in Dinei Mamonot) doesn't discuss whether you fulfill the aseh, but he does say "A worker need not be paid in cash. A check is also sufficient. Similarly, an employer may arrange for a bank or finance company to pay his workers."

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So your answer is that paying by check does not qualify for "Byomo Titein Schoro". –  Gershon Gold Oct 8 '10 at 15:40
@Gershon, it seems so, though I'm reluctant to say for sure because I'd really like to be able to quote more fundamental sources, and because I'd like to be able to acertain that R' Basri isn't disagreeing with R' Bodner. –  Chanoch Oct 8 '10 at 16:30
It seems like Rabbi Basri holds it is sufficient to be Mekayeim "Byomo Titein Schoro". By an employer there is no "Byomo Titein Schoro" as it is normal to be paid every week or two or monthly. –  Gershon Gold Oct 8 '10 at 18:13

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