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We proved in the past that Moshe had the standing of a king, and thus Korach’s group, who questioned Moshe’s authority, were mordim b’malchut (rebels against the king). There are differing opinions among Tannaim about whether the property of mordim b’malchut goes to their inheritors or to the king, against whom they rebelled (Sanhedrin 48b). In contrast, all agree that when one is executed by beit din, his inheritors receive his property. The Yerushalmi (Makkot 2:7) uses one of the opinions to explain the conversation between Yoav and Benayahu as to where Yoav would be executed. Yoav preferred to be put to death by beit din rather than by King Shlomo’s officer, so that his children would inherit him. The Rambam (Avel 1:9) also accepts this assumption. This also explains why King Achav seized Navot Hayizraeli’s vineyard after executing him as a mored b’malchut.
Now we can understand Tzlufchad’s daughters. These astute women made their claim to Moshe for inheritance after informing him that their father was not a mored b’malchut and thus there was no reason for Moshe to inherit him. (One can prove that Moshe was unwilling to benefit monetarily from his public role and did not take the property of Korach’s group either.)
We know that a king can execute those who rebel against him and then seize their property. Can he skip a step? In other words, may the king say that he will not kill a mored b’malchut but only seize his property? The Minchat Chinuch (497) posits that the king certainly can, for if he has the power to take one’s life, obviously he has the authority to take his money, which is a lesser consequence.
The Shiurei David (Sanhedrin 48b) asks the following questions. According to the Minchat Yitzchak, why does the Rambam bring the law of the king getting the property in the Laws of Mourning, which implies that it has to do with death specifically? Also, how did Yoav plan to gain by having beit din execute him if the king could have anyway confiscated his property?
On the other hand, how can one argue on the Minchat Chinuch’s strong logic? It seems that the laws come to protect the property of the citizen. If a king could claim that a subject rebelled and take only his property, it would be very tempting to do so. The king could say to himself that it is "only a matter of money." However, if the condition is that the accused is executed, then even a moderately corrupt king would find it unconscionable to kill in order to steal property.
It turns out that we can learn from Tzlufchad’s daughters not only laws of inheritance but also laws of proper government. Let us hope that we will merit leaders who take Moshe’s lead and not use their leadership roles to make money.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
