Responsa for Bava Kamma 173:5
<big><strong>מתני׳</strong></big> זה חומר באדם מבשור שהאדם משלם נזק צער ריפוי שבת ובושת ומשלם דמי ולדות ושור אינו משלם אלא נזק ופטור מדמי ולדות
<b><i>MISHNAH</i></b>. ON THIS [POINT] THE LAW FOR MAN IS MORE SEVERE THAN THE LAW FOR CATTLE, VIZ., THAT MAN HAS TO PAY FOR DEPRECIATION, PAIN, HEALING, LOSS OF TIME AND DEGRADATION;<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' As supra p. 473. ');"><sup>7</sup></span> AND HE PAYS ALSO FOR THE VALUE OF EMBRYOS,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Cf. Ex, XXI, 22 and supra p. 277. ');"><sup>8</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.
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