Hi Rabbi Rhine,
I was wondering what your thoughts would be as to why in this Mishnah, the Tannaim feel that the proper way to decide who owns this vegetable is by who can impede its growth to some extent, or who can destroy it?
– Shmuel
RMR> Hi, I like your question, and the compelling way you worded it.
My thoughts are that sometimes the power to say “no” shows who is authorizing something. I am reminded of the story about General Eisenhower right before d-day landing at Normandy. The statement was: Until he authorized the attack, he was the most powerful person, because he could say “no, it is unsafe to launch the attack.” Once he authorized he became an ordinary soldier (well not quite ordinary, but no longer with the power to say “no.”)
Best!
Hi Rabbi Rhine,
I was wondering what your thoughts would be as to why in this Mishnah, the Tannaim feel that the proper way to decide who owns this vegetable is by who can impede its growth to some extent, or who can destroy it?
– Shmuel
RMR> Hi, I like your question, and the compelling way you worded it.
My thoughts are that sometimes the power to say “no” shows who is authorizing something. I am reminded of the story about General Eisenhower right before d-day landing at Normandy. The statement was: Until he authorized the attack, he was the most powerful person, because he could say “no, it is unsafe to launch the attack.” Once he authorized he became an ordinary soldier (well not quite ordinary, but no longer with the power to say “no.”)
Best!