Responsa for Bava Batra 12:13
הנהו בי תרי דהוו דיירי חד הוה דייר עילאי וחד הוה דייר תתאי איתבר תתאי א"ל תתאי לעילאי תא ונבנייה אמר ליה אנא שפיר קא דאירנא
If, however, his courtyard is higher than his neighbour's roof, he has no liability. Two men were living [in the same house], one in the upper room and one in the lower. The lower, room began to sink into the ground, so the owner of the lower room said to the one above: 'Let us rebuild the house.' The other replied: 'l am quite comfortable.'
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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