from other places; on the other hand, the Egyptian communities often sent funds to Jerusalem or other places in Palestine.’® A poll tax (jaliya) was levied by the Islamic government on all Jews ; this needed to be paid for the poor and many other members of the community who needed some assistance with this tax. Such help was considered akin to“ransoming captives.”
RESPONSA
For more than a thousand years responsa have dealt with specific issues surrounding 7zedakah. The questions along with their answers provide an insight into the problems faced and the changing demands made upon the specific communities. A thorough study of the responsa literature would enhance the history of the development of social services in various communities and lands through the age. My reading of a limited portion of that literature suggests that no revolutionary new ideas were proposed.
The selection provided here demonstrates the range of issues about which questions were asked. The selection makes no attempt to be representative for a scholar or a period of history.
QUESTION: What shall the gabbaim do with surplus food given to them for distribution or with coinage they have been given?
ANSWER: If they have food and there are no poor who need it, they shall sell it, but they may not purchase it themselves. They need to be careful with coinage and not place it immediately into the tzedakah purse, and not even temporarily into their own and count it out carefully.(Sheiltot R. Ahai“ Ki Tisa” 64)