[Avodah] John Locke and Tzedaqa

[Simon Montagu]

On Thu, Jan 7, 2010 at 5:26 AM, Rich, Joel <JRich at sibson.com> wrote:

>
>
> So my question is: given that we know that historically, the Jewish
> communities would assess tzedaqa like a tax, how could they do this?
> Granted that everyone has an obligation to give tzedaqa, but who gave the
> kehilla the right to assess tzedaqa? Who made the kehilla boss?
> ====================
> Your premise is not necessarily accepted by all-the tzibbur (a la R'YBS) is
> much more than the sum of its parts.
>
>
This is true even of a minimal tzibbur of 10, who have the right to compel
one another not to leave town on Yamim Nora'im, or to pay for a replacement.
(end of OH 55).

The Rema's lashon "kofin ze et ze" is interesting: I think it implies
exactly the opposite of your premise -- none of the tzibbur has this right
as individuals, and even nine do not have the right to compel the tenth; but
ten have the right to compel one another.
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