Responsa for Bava Metzia 187:9
תנא ומתנה שומר שכר להיות כשואל במאי בדברים אמר שמואל בשקנו מידו
the stipulation is valid. For it has been taught: If one says to a woman, 'Behold, thou art betrothed unto me on condition that thou hast upon me no claims of sustenance, raiment and conjugal rights', she is betrothed, but the condition is null; this is R. Meir's view. R. Judah said: In respect of money matters, his condition is valid.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Hence she has no claims of sustenance and raiment, but is entitled to conjugal rights. ');"><sup>8</sup></span>
Teshuvot Maharam
Q. The leaders of a community decided to introduce a new method of taxation whereby real property was to be taxed at the same rate as money. Prior thereto, real property was not so taxed. Are leaders of a community empowered to introduce such a change in the method of taxation?
A. No; a change in an accepted custom, which will benefit some members of the community at the expense of others, can be introduced only by unanimous consent of the members.
R. Meir adds that throughout the kingdom, no taxes on real property are levied by the Jewish communities; that those whose wealth consisted mostly of money, attempted several times to introduce a change and tax real property; and that he, R. Meir, did not permit the enforcement of the change, for the reason quoted above.
SOURCES: Pr. 941; Mord. B. B. 481; Agudah B. B. 20. Cf. Weil, Responsa 84; Menahem of Merseburg, Nimmukim (44); Moses Minz, Responsa 63a; Terumat Hadeshen 342.
A. No; a change in an accepted custom, which will benefit some members of the community at the expense of others, can be introduced only by unanimous consent of the members.
R. Meir adds that throughout the kingdom, no taxes on real property are levied by the Jewish communities; that those whose wealth consisted mostly of money, attempted several times to introduce a change and tax real property; and that he, R. Meir, did not permit the enforcement of the change, for the reason quoted above.
SOURCES: Pr. 941; Mord. B. B. 481; Agudah B. B. 20. Cf. Weil, Responsa 84; Menahem of Merseburg, Nimmukim (44); Moses Minz, Responsa 63a; Terumat Hadeshen 342.
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