<div dir="ltr"><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Thu, Jan 7, 2010 at 5:26 AM, Rich, Joel <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:JRich@sibson.com">JRich@sibson.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding-left: 1ex;">
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So my question is: given that we know that historically, the Jewish communities would assess tzedaqa like a tax, how could they do this?<br>
Granted that everyone has an obligation to give tzedaqa, but who gave the kehilla the right to assess tzedaqa? Who made the kehilla boss?<br>
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Your premise is not necessarily accepted by all-the tzibbur (a la R'YBS) is much more than the sum of its parts.<br>
<br></blockquote><div><br>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).<br><br>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.<br>
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