[Avodah] early bird specials and ribbis

[David Riceman]

From: "Zev Sero" <zev at sero.name>

<RZS>
>>> Because there is no prohibition on discounts for paying early.  The
>>> prohibition is only on surcharges for paying late.

<me>
>> Is there a source for this? It sounds to me like this is a hiluk
>> between ribbis d'orayssa and ribbis d'rabbanan.  See Hochmath
>> Adam 131:3,9.   Compare YD 160:6.

<RZS>
> It's an open mishna on BM 65a.  "One may add to rent but not to
> a sale price".  The gemara explains that this is because rent is
> not due until the end of the period, whereas the price of a sale
> is due as soon as the property transfers.

This is not a good analogy.  The mishna is cited l'halacha in YD 176:6, 
where it is applied both to rent and to wages, but only if the renting or 
working begins immediately (see Taz ad. loc.).  Now look two halachos down 
at 176:8 which prohibits a discount for early payment of wages if the work 
does not begin immediately.

I'm sure the camp people are already working part time (they've already sent 
out pamphlets, for example), but as far as customers are concerned the work 
we pay for doesn't start until our kids are at camp.

So how is this mishna relevant?

David Riceman