Responsa for Bava Metzia 234:9
למעט בחלונות שומעין לו להרבות בחלונות אין שומעין לו להגביה אין שומעין לו למעט שומעין לו
R. Aha b. Adda said on 'Ulla's authority: If the owner of the lower storey wishes to alter [the building materials from hewn] to unhewn stones, he is permitted; [from unhewn stones] to hewn stones, he is forbidden;<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' [Unhewn stones are wider by one handbreadth then hewn stones, v. B.B. Mishnah 2a.] ');"><sup>9</sup></span>
Teshuvot Maharam
Q. When the brothers A, B, and C divided among themselves the house they formerly held in common, a certain wall upon which heavy beams were resting crosswise, fell to A's portion. These beams extended beyond the wall into B's and C's portions on one side, and into A's portion on the other side. A cut off those parts of the beams which extended into his rooms. B and C objected to this act on A's part.
A. Those parts of the beams which extended into A's portion belonged to him exclusively, and he had a right to cut them off, especially since the intervening wall belonged to him. Although the act of sawing and chopping weakened B's and C's structures, since the extension of the beams into A's room served no useful purpose to B and C, and because of their unnecessary weight were even detrimental, A had a right to cut them off. In any event, B and C are not entitled to any compensation for their loss, now that the act has been done.
SOURCES: Am II, 198.
A. Those parts of the beams which extended into A's portion belonged to him exclusively, and he had a right to cut them off, especially since the intervening wall belonged to him. Although the act of sawing and chopping weakened B's and C's structures, since the extension of the beams into A's room served no useful purpose to B and C, and because of their unnecessary weight were even detrimental, A had a right to cut them off. In any event, B and C are not entitled to any compensation for their loss, now that the act has been done.
SOURCES: Am II, 198.
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