Responsa for Bava Kamma 173:7
החובל בעבד עברי חייב בכולן חוץ מן השבת בזמן שהוא שלו החובל בעבד כנעני של אחרים חייב בכולן רבי יהודה אומר אין לעבדים בושת
ONE WHO STRIKES HIS FATHER AND HIS MOTHER WITHOUT, HOWEVER, MAKING A BRUISE ON THEM,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' In which case the capital offence of Ex. XXI, 15 has not been committed; v. Sanh. 84b. ');"><sup>10</sup></span> OR ONE WHO INJURED HIS FELLOW ON THE DAY OF ATONEMENT<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The violation of which entails no capital punishment at the hands of a court of law; cf. Lev. XXIII, 30 and Ker. I, 1. Again, though lashes could be involved in this case in accordance with Mak. III, 2, the civil liability holds good as supra p. 407. ');"><sup>11</sup></span>
Teshuvot Maharam
Q. L borrowed money from B, with a verbal promise to repay. Subsequently she married A and gave him money as her dowry. Is A obligated to pay L's debt, out of that dowry? Are we permitted to exact an oath from L in case she denies B's claim?
A. Authorities differ regarding the rights of a husband over his wife's dowry. Some authorities decide that a husband has the rights of a buyer [who is not responsible for the seller's debts] while others hold that his rights are those of an heir [who is liable for the debts of his benefactor]. Since we can not choose between these conflicting opinions, we allow the money to remain in the hands of the present possessor. And since L has no money and will have no money till she be widowed or divorced, there is no sense in exacting an oath from her. We give B a written verdict, however, to the effect that in case L be widowed or divorced she then must take an oath denying B's claim or pay that debt.
SOURCES: Am II, 25, 27, 29. Cf. Agudah B. B. 185.
A. Authorities differ regarding the rights of a husband over his wife's dowry. Some authorities decide that a husband has the rights of a buyer [who is not responsible for the seller's debts] while others hold that his rights are those of an heir [who is liable for the debts of his benefactor]. Since we can not choose between these conflicting opinions, we allow the money to remain in the hands of the present possessor. And since L has no money and will have no money till she be widowed or divorced, there is no sense in exacting an oath from her. We give B a written verdict, however, to the effect that in case L be widowed or divorced she then must take an oath denying B's claim or pay that debt.
SOURCES: Am II, 25, 27, 29. Cf. Agudah B. B. 185.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy