Responsa for Bava Batra 42:4
אמר רב הונא האי בר מבואה דאוקי ריחיא ואתא בר מבואה חבריה וקמוקי גביה דינא הוא דמעכב עילויה דא"ל קא פסקת ליה לחיותי
He [Joab] then went to his teacher and asked: How didst thou teach me to read? He replied: Zeker. Thereupon he drew his sword and threatened to kill him. Why do you do this? asked the other. He replied: Because it is written, Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord negligently.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Jer. XLVIII. 20, The 'negligence' consisted in the fact that his teacher had allowed him when a boy to read zekar without correcting him (v. Tosaf.). ');"><sup>4</sup></span>
Teshuvot Maharam
Q. A was pursuing his craft in town T when B began to pursue the same craft. A demanded that a ban be issued [in accordance with the talmudic law of competition] against any one besides himself who will engage in that craft. B, however, restrained him from such action until a decision, as to the legality of such a ban, be issued by a Rabbi. Subsequently A bribed the ruler of the town who issued a decree forbidding anyone, but A, to pursue that particular trade. A again demanded the issuance of a ban, claiming that the Jews are bound to abide by the law of the secular government. B, however, objected to the issuance of such a ban until a decision was rendered by a Rabbi.
A. If B is a resident of A's town,*The author uses the term Bar-meboo, a resident of A’s alley, but he is only using the talmudic expression. The decision, however, is that in his own house B may pursue any craft he wants; while A may restrain B from settling next to A and pursuing A’s craft. A can not restrain him from pursuing his craft. The secular government, according to Jewish law, has no jursidiction over trade competition; therefore, the Jews are not bound to abide by their decree in such matters.
SOURCES: Pr. 677.
A. If B is a resident of A's town,*The author uses the term Bar-meboo, a resident of A’s alley, but he is only using the talmudic expression. The decision, however, is that in his own house B may pursue any craft he wants; while A may restrain B from settling next to A and pursuing A’s craft. A can not restrain him from pursuing his craft. The secular government, according to Jewish law, has no jursidiction over trade competition; therefore, the Jews are not bound to abide by their decree in such matters.
SOURCES: Pr. 677.
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