Letting Someone Else through the Mikvah Turnstile without a Pass

Can I let someone who forgot his card go through the turnstile with me?

In some places, such as at a men’s mikvah, there is a turnstile system in place and a prepaid card is needed in order to enter. What is the halachah if someone says he forgot his card at home and asks us to allow him to pass through with us?

The answer depends on whether the card issued is for a certain number of uses or whether it’s valid for a certain period of time. If the card allows for a certain number of visits, allowing him to go through with us would constitute stealing (and even if he expresses his intent to charge the card at a later time, it would still be considered theft—albeit with the intent of repaying later—and is therefore not permitted). However, in the latter case, where he says his card is good for an unspecified number of visits during a given time, we can believe him and allow him to go through with us, since we can assume he has chezkas kashrus (a default status of being honest).

In view of the above, if someone asks us to allow him to go through the turnstile with us, we should inquire as to which kind of card he has; if he says that he has a card for a specified length of time, we may trust him (if he strikes us as honest and trustworthy). On the other hand, if he attempts to push his way through as we are going in, but offers no explanation, it isn’t our responsibility to stop him. #487?

https://halacha2go.com?number=487

Practical Halacha: One minute a day. By Horav Yosef Yeshaya Braun, shlita, Mara D'asra and member of the Badatz of Crown Heights.