Charitable Contributions, Communal Welfare Organizations, and Allegiance to the Community According to Rashba
This paper examines a responsum by R. Solomon b. Abraham Adreth (Rashba) that addresses welfare policy. Rashba's text responds to tension among different factions of a community, resulting from an attempt to impose a "welfare tax." The dispute arises during a period of development in...
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
HUC
2002
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| In: |
Hebrew Union College annual
Year: 2001, Volume: 72, Pages: 85-100 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | This paper examines a responsum by R. Solomon b. Abraham Adreth (Rashba) that addresses welfare policy. Rashba's text responds to tension among different factions of a community, resulting from an attempt to impose a "welfare tax." The dispute arises during a period of development in Jewish welfare institutions in Northern Spain. A close reading of the text reveals that it is carefully composed, or edited. An examination of the structure of the text and its sources highlights the substance of Rashba's ruling. Rashba supports the institution of a communally administered welfare fund that would collect and distribute payments according to the requirements of halakhah. His ruling highlights the contrast between compulsory welfare payments and voluntary charitable donations, and expresses displeasure with wealthy members of the community who oppose the imposition of a new tax. Rashba's reference to a talmudic story involving the daughter of Nakdimon ben Gurion is a unique feature of this text. His juxtaposition of the wealthy members of the community with Nakdimon ben Gurion is particularly harsh. Rashba is in a position to identify Nakdimon as Buni, a disciple of Jesus according to the Talmud, and to associate him with Nicodemus. His ruling offers clear insights into the aims and functions of welfare, and sends a strong message to those who oppose the institution of a communal welfare policy. |
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| Contains: | Enthalten in: Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Hebrew Union College annual
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