PEH873

PEH873

Thieves stole silver candlesticks from a synagogue that stood beside the Holy Ark. Since the community coffers had no funds, private individuals wanted to replace the candlesticks at their own expense, but with copper ones. It is asked whether this would violate the dignity of the community. Salomo ben Abraham Mendez de Continho finds the question initially unclear. He explains that, of course, if the community were to receive copper candlesticks as a gift, they would have to accept them. It is also out of the question to leave the synagogue unlit; rather, the question is whether, if the private individuals had enough money themselves, they should buy silver or copper candlesticks. With regard to the principles established for the embellishment of the performance of commandments in general, such as when buying an etrog or a Torah scroll (Rashi to Baba Kama 9b), he grants the group that wants to buy silver candlesticks the right to exert pressure on the group that wants to buy only copper ones.

12

27

1800-09-13

1800-09-20

MendezSbA

Mendez Continho, Salomon ben Abraham

AcohenDan

Acohen d'Azevedo, Daniel