Responsa for Shevuot 81:7
ולרבנן דפליגי עליה דרבי יוסי דאמרו בדרבנן לא נחתינן לנכסיה מאי עבדינן ליה משמתינן ליה
What is the difference?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Between R. Jose and the other Rabbis, since he also agrees that it is only theft by enactment of the Rabbis in the interests of social peace.');"><sup>10</sup></span> Its extraction by the Court.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' R. Jose makes the proprietary rights of the deaf-mute stronger (though only Rabbinically, and not Biblically) , and if anyone steals from him that which he has found, the Court extracts it from the thief; though the thief has not transgressed the Biblical law (Thou shalt not steal) , nor is he disqualified from being a witness (v. Git. 61a, Rashi) . According to the other Rabbis, if the thief stole from the deaf-mute the thing that he found, the Court does not interfere,');"><sup>11</sup></span>
Teshuvot Maharam
A. If B admits that the principal was also meant for charity, but claims that he wants to distribute it himself, A is free from any obligation to B, and is not even required to take an oath, since no actual money loss to B is involved.
SOURCES: Cr. 87; Pr. 286; Mord. Shebu. 767.
Teshuvot Maharam
A. A trustee appointed by both parties is not required to take an oath regarding the terms of his trusteeship. But, Leah was not appointed trustee by both parties. She was only appointed by the husband, and, therefore, is required to take an oath. Leah's husband cannot object to imposing an oath on her. If the law requires that a woman take an oath, the husband has no right to protest against her being degraded in court. But, since Leah, as long as she is married, has no money of her own, and were she to claim that she had already returned the deposit, no oath would be imposed on her, we now lend credence to her words and require no oath. However, the court should give A a writ stating that after Leah will be divorced or widowed she will have to return the money to A or take an oath to the effect that A deposited the money with her on condition that she return it upon his wife's consent only.
SOURCES: L. 306–7; Mord. B. K. 89. Cf. Pr. 739; Tesh. Maim. to Mishpatim, 44.
Teshuvot Maharam
A. The fact that there is no actual loss of money to B does not, of itself, absolve A from taking an oath. A is not required to take the oath for another reason. B can not claim to be certain that A has cash, and no one is required to take an oath when his opponent is not certain of his claim.
This Responsum is addressed to Rabbi Asher b. Moses.
SOURCES: Cr. 7, 8; Pr. 109; L. 360. Cf. Am II, 224.