Distribution of Fire Relief Funds Among Jewish Community Victims

Date: 18 Adar Sheni 5562

From: Rabbi Moshe Sofer

To: Mattersdorf

Description

Following a devastating fire that destroyed most of the Jewish quarter of Mattersdorf in 1802, the communal governing council (Akro'ot) brought the matter of distributing the collected relief funds to the Chasam Sofer. He issued nine detailed rulings approximating Torah law, establishing eligibility thresholds, asset assessment rules for debts and real estate, a tiered distribution system for poor, middle-class, and wealthy victims, proportional deductions for communal rebuilding costs, and a requirement to compensate a widow whose home was demolished to save the synagogue.

Source: Shu"t Chasam Sofer YD §239

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