Written by: Motti Wein, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
A common scene in the synagogue during weekday services is of financially struggling individuals walking around collecting money. It is of paramount importance to not only help with whatever one can afford but to greet them pleasantly, no matter how “uncomfortable” it might be.
Following giving the charity, the collector traditionally blesses the giver. The blessing can range from “health,” “happiness,” “good upright children,” or “to always be a giver.” One time a few months back, I was blessed, “You should always merit Divine assistance.”
What type of blessing is that?
The truth is the blessing for Divine assistance encompasses all other blessings as, without Divine assistance, one cannot properly enjoy their assets.
Even with good health, without proper Divine assistance, one won’t be able to maintain it for too long.
Even with happiness, without proper Divine assistance, one won’t be able to enjoy it for too long.
Even with good upright children, without proper Divine assistance, one won’t raise them the correct way.
Even with millions of dollars, without proper Divine assistance, one won’t spend it correctly.
As a landlord who holds escrow for my tenants, I have multiple separate bank accounts where such funds are held. As my business is not very large, I don’t have dozens of tenants, so the escrow accounts are not often used. After five years of use, I suddenly was hit with the thought of doing a self-audit.
I am the only one with access to the escrow accounts, so I had no reason to be suspected of anyone. Additionally, bank statements are checked on a weekly basis, so I had no reason to believe an error was made on the bank’s end.
At the same time, we are all human and prone to mistakes, myself included. Upon completion of the self-audit, I noticed a surplus of $27.94, which I initially thought was accumulated interest, albeit on the high end. I didn’t think much of it and was satisfied the self-audit was satisfactory.
The following day I was again suddenly hit with the thought of doing a second self-audit. I pulled up a new & more detailed report from QuickBooks, where I noticed my most recent tenant vacancy. I mistakenly shorted $25 upon return of his deposit the week prior.
Upon return of the deposit, I didn’t notice the error
The tenant never reported the error to me, so he didn’t notice it
The mistake was caught mere days after it occurred, purely due to Divine assistance I received (two times) on the importance of doing a periodic self-audit.
When one is entrusted in holding escrow for another, it is an awesome responsibility that cannot be taken lightly. There is much law, both on the Jewish end as well as on the civil end, involved.
Every businessman who is entrusted to hold another’s money in escrow must do a self-audit, at a minimum, on an annual basis. Depending on the size of escrow, it may need to be more often.
In the merit of doing such self-audits, may we merit the Divine assistance needed to be successful in all of our personal & business endeavors.
May all of my readers who are observing Rosh HaShana be blessed with a sweet and prosperous new year.
Motti Wein, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Founded in 2015 by Motti Wein, we don't view honesty as the best policy; rather, we view it as the foundation for all policies. Let us use our cumulative decades of experience in overcoming adversary, leadership, trust, real estate, customer service, business acumen, family values, and our good name to help you manage and grow your NJ real estate investment portfolio. We may be reached at 732-415-8446 or emailed at WeinRealtyLLC@gmail.com. Wein Holdings, Wein Consulting, Wein Management, and Wein Lending are Wein Realty, LLC divisions. Please note we are a proud member of "Mem Dalet" - an initiative to encourage traditional Jewish workplace values in an ever-increasing nationwide culture of harassment & assault against women and general hostility towards religion. For more information, please contact us. Regarding Mr. Wein's work in kosher supervision, please email Wein.ChaimM@gmail.com or MWein@JewishHomeFreehold.org.
