[Avodah] John Locke and Tzedaqa

Arie Folger afolger at aishdas.org
Tue Jan 12 13:09:47 PST 2010


RMM wrote:
> My argument concluded that in a small, self-contained community,
> where all the members know each other, and where the community
> is a very tangible entity providing concrete benefits to its members,
> that in such a community, tzedaqa IS conscionable even from a
> libertarian perspective. So your above statement, I agree with,
> because you speak of the kehillah, and the community.

Since you like quoting Josh Berman, let me just point out that he
shows that the Torah precisely argues for treating the entire Jewish
people as close family, it is extending the bonds of kinship, to
prevent the abuse of only caring for your own friends, and in order to
counter the impersonality of universalism.

By that measure, your argument would fail.
-- 
Arie Folger,
Latest blog posts on http://ariefolger.wordpress.com/
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