Q&A: Questions
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Questions
Question
Hello, honored Rabbi,
1. This one says, “It is all mine,” and that one says, “Half of it is mine.” Is there no migo here?
2. In the Talmudic passage in Sanhedrin there are disputes about whether Noahides give up their lives for their commandments. How does this fit with the rule that “there is nothing” applicable to them that is not also applicable to Jews? After all, Jews are not commanded to give up their lives over a limb torn from a living animal, so what was the initial assumption that Noahides would be commanded to do so?
Answer
- This is a question raised by the medieval authorities (Rishonim) at the beginning of Bava Metzia. See Tosafot there on 2a and many others. Some answer that this is a migo from one monetary claim to another monetary claim, and others argue that it is a migo used to extract money.
- There are other examples too. For instance, a convulsing animal is permitted to a Jew, but for Noahides it is considered like a living animal. It is possible that the explanation is that they are not commanded to give up their lives; rather, they were simply not given the permission not to do so by virtue of the law of “and live by them.” A Noahide is also liable to death for every transgression. It seems that his life is considered of lesser value than that of a Jew (and this too would require much more discussion, but this is not the place).