Responsa for Bava Batra 12:2
אמר רבינא האי כשורא דמטללתא עד תלתין יומין לא הוי חזקה בתר תלתין יומין הוי חזקה ואי סוכה דמצוה היא עד שבעה יומין לא הוי חזקה בתר שבעה יומין הוי חזקה ואי חבריה בטינא לאלתר הוי חזקה
and the cavities in the walls<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Used for placing articles in, ');"><sup>3</sup></span> up to a distance of four cubits [from his room], and also the thickness of the wall,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' If the room is on the top storey. ');"><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.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy