Against Poverty- From the Torah to Secular Judaism 13

TALMUD JERUSHALMI

The Talmud Jerushalmi, in contrast to the Babli, continued discussion of agricultural laws much in the same vein and dealt with specific details that had not been treated earlier. It added little that was new. That was also true of kupah and tamhui, and the limit of eligibility remained at 200 zuzim.

The Talmud Jerushalmi raised no questions about the expansion of the system of care for the poor. It provided details in the same fashion as with the other statements of the tractate, that is, as if responding to specific question and providing the opinions of various scholars on them and also being practical. Here is a sample passage:

The provision was for three persons to distribute to

the poor. R. Huna said, the famhui is collected by

three persons, because it is given out on the spot. R.

Helbo said in the name of R. Abba bar Zavda, that one

does not appoint less than three providers. Come and

look, money matters are judged by three, matters of

life and death not so much more? But then they

should be twenty-three[a major court]. Until one

assembles them, he is in danger. R. Yose in the name

of R. Hohanan: One does not appoint two brothers as

providers. R. Yose removed on of the two brothers.

He came and said before them: There is nothing

wrong with Mr. X only one does not appoint two

brothers as providers.... They wanted to appoint R.

Akiba as provider. He said that he had to seek counsel

at home. They followed him and heard him say: In

order to be cursed, in order to be insulted. R. Abba

bar Zavda said: Rav and R. Johanan disagreed. He

said one checks out before giving clothing, but one