Gofundme -Easier to clarify intent to the public and advertise I would think.
I wonder why eBay was chosen as the platform. Then again he may have used multiple sites and only this one had controversy. Or maybe he already had an eBay account and figured it was worthwhile opportunity or risk for a good cause. Or eBay would be more private and give him more control over who sponsors and for how much.
I presume that he had a great need and was limited in local outlets or options.
It may embarrass him to have so many people attack his motives and actions. I’m guessing it hurts to be publicly shamed. Either way that part at least is against halacha.
Unless one wants to argue that he is descecrating the Torah and this needs to be publicly shunned, maybe if anything they could have rewarded his creativity.
It doesn’t sound like there is any scam here. Maybe it is against halacha because we’re not supposed to profit from Torah. And eBay is a commerce site. EBay sellers are small business owners.
If there was something much bigger to report at the time, would the news sites still publish this story?