Bava Batra 8: Giving Tzedaka

Today's daf begins with the rabbis expounding on the possible meanings of a number of verses.  They move into questioning whether or not (and when) taxes might be collected from orphans.  This turns into a conversation about the rights of those who are ignorant of Torah.  Although they might be blocked from some kindnesses, we are told that that even an 'ignoramus' should be fed.  Some of the rabbis find this difficult to muster.  Rabbi Yehuda haNasi believes that all suffering comes from ignoramuses.  A story about this is shared to prove that point.   People ran from Tiberius to force the Sages to pay their share of the crown tax.  As more and more people left, the tax was eventually cancelled.  And the Sages say that this proves that ignoramuses cause suffering.

The rabbis wonder how long a person must be must reside in a town to be subject to the mandatory contributions.  At thirty days, one must contribute to the charity platter.  At three months, the charity box.  At six months, the clothing fund, and at nine months, the burial fund.  At twelve months, as we learned, one must contribute to payment for the wall around the city and other security for the city.  Our notes teach that at the moment one intends to reside in the city permanently, s/he is obligated to contribute to all of these funds.  The rabbis consider orphans again and whether we must at least collect from them to pay for redeemed captives.  

The rabbis take a detour and discuss captives.  They look to Jeremiah (15:2), "...To where shall we depart?  Then you shall tell them: So says the Lord: Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for famine, to famine; and such as are for captivity, to captivity".  They consider which punishment causes more suffering.  

Two people must collect toward the charity fund, and three people must distribute it.  Two people to collect because an authority over the community requires more than one person.  Three people to distribute because this imitates the judges as required for other cases of monetary law.   We learn:

• The charity platter 
• food for any visitors who require food; 
• food can be purchased from this for the charity fund
• The charity fund 
• food exclusively for the poor of the city; 
• food can be purchased from this for the charity platter

In each city the residents can determine the prices for food, wages, and fines.  The rabbis discuss limitations facing charity collectors and how people might be compelled to give.  Charity collectors are praised up and down for their actions which encourage all to give.  They note that those who ask for clothing are assessed for need, but food is given freely.  The rabbis then attempt to balance the importance of saving against the importance of giving.  They also note that providing lodging includes a bed, a pillow, and possibly three meals.  Our daf ends with the rabbis praising the act of giving tzedaka.