Scope of Nicha Lei for Mitzvos with Another's Money

From: Rabbi Moshe Sofer

To: Rabbi Aharon Hersh

Description

The student asks about the limits of the principle that 'a person is pleased to have a mitzvah performed with his money,' particularly how it justifies giving tzedakah from an insane person's assets when the loss is significant and involuntary. The Chasam Sofer develops a comprehensive framework distinguishing cases of no real loss from actual expenditure, and argues the Kesef Mishneh specifically invokes tzedakah because its life-protecting quality uniquely justifies the presumption even for a shoteh.

Source: Shu"t Chasam Sofer OC §2

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