The relevant translation of a news headline, is the realistic perception of its audience. If it took you that much time to research the Oxford Dictionary for this, then apparently even you, who seems a bit more sophisticated then the typical poster here, did not initially understand it as such. Certainly the typical reader’s perception of “host” is not encyclopedic, but rather how it is used on the street, and that is, a non-paying guest. In a borrowed sense, it is similar to hilchos nedarim, or hilchos schiv merah, where the used street terminology is more important than the researched technical translation.

Secondly,

“It also makes no difference whatsoever if the landlord rented to these specific tenants before the neighborhood’s current law-abiding citizens moved in. This is because the right to live in a decent and safe neighborhood comes before, and trumps any landlord’s right to harbor anything otherwise. Period.”

Apparently, you are not familiar with hilchos Shcainim, or at least you need a chazarah. See Tshuvos HaRivash 322, Shulchan Aruch 154:32 and Rema 155:36.

First. It is consistent with the authoritative Oxford English Dictionary’s definition that even when a Landlord provides lodging FOR PAYMENT he may still be referred to as a ‘host’. They cite several proofs for this definition beginning with writings from contemporary times and going back over seven hundred years. If you would research the subject correctly, you will find several more definitions than you may now realize. Though you may not be personally accustomed to using the word this way, rest assured that YWN is correct on this.

THIS LANDLORD IS “HOSTING” THESE HOODLUMS. Everyone is ANXIOUSLY WAITING for him to do the right thing.

(There is still room for debate regarding if one can ‘Host’ only with a short-term stay or also permanent housing.. but from the mashma’us of the various instances cited (ibid.) it’s seems indicated that this terminology applies even with long-term lodging. Veyesh leha’arich oid..)

However, even if YWN would not have been technically correct, he should still be commended for driving home the point that so many agree with. The real estate Business is no different than every other Business that has its ethical rules. When a landlord allows for a situation which impinges on people’s right to live in a quality, peaceful, nuisance-free, and most importantly, crime-free neighborhood, he is in many senses complicit in the evils perpetrated by the dwellers. He is providing direct aid and is a ‘Mesyeya’ to these law-breakers and needs to answer for his action/inaction permitting the circumstances. This is an old concept found often in the Gemara.

It also makes no difference whatsoever if the landlord rented to these specific tenants before the neighborhood’s current law-abiding citizens moved in. This is because the right to live in a decent and safe neighborhood comes before, and trumps any landlord’s right to harbor anything otherwise. Period. Again, as was publicly stated in many earlier postings, the neighbors and community leaders have expressed their protests loud and clear.

Second. To elevate the sichas chulin, I would like to point out that there are indeed differing shitos in the Poskim, as to whether a host which accepts compensation towards lodging fulfills the Mitzvah of Hachnosas Orchim and is therefore permitted to exercise the various dinim/kulos relevant to this Mitzvah. [See Teshuvos Ateres Baruch Y”D 5, Daas Torah O”C 306-4, Teshuvos Tzitz Eliezer 13:28-9, Teshuvos Divrei Yisroel 1:100, Teshuvos Divrei Moshe 42-4, Teshuvos V’Hanhagos 2:197, Sefer Derech Tzadikim pg. 28, v’oid..]

So, it’s kumt ois that YWN can hold like the Poskim that one can still have the Halachic status of “Host” even while making money. U’baze Meyushav.

Comment by miriamm
This is a classic example of an illiterate .If you can’t spell or write correctly,no one will take you seriously.This remark is so stupid.