Q. Since so many negative issues and serious problems are created by shadchanim or marriage brokers who favor customers who are wealthy and pay a higher finding fee, should not the Rabbanim join forces together and decree an established fixed fee for any successful shiduch, for all. Thus, also promoting more shiduchim, as the agents would have to compensate their parnassah with volume? What is Horav Miller's opinion and why?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that shadchanus has a significant monetary side attached to it, since usually a dowry and other monetary obligations are being established for the benefit of the prospective newlyweds. Therefore, just as much as for example, a real estate agent or similar who offers a deal that he introduces and represents, is entitled to a compensation based on the value of the transaction, a shadchan may also collect a fee proportional to the amounts that are being offered as part of the marriage agreement.
We should also mention that past experiences have shown when trying to establish Takanot to limit expenses in weddings etc. were not successful. Since after all the monetary rules of the free market are hard to control.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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