תלמוד בבלי מסכת סוכה דף כט עמוד א
ובשביל ארבעה דברים נכסי בעלי בתים נמסרין למלכות: על משהי שטרות פרועים ועל מלוי ברבית, ועל שהיה ספק בידם למחות ולא מיחו, ועל שפוסקים צדקה ברבים ואינן נותנין.
On account of four things is the property of householders given into the hands of the government: On account of those who retain in their possession bills which have been paid; on account of those who lend money on usury; on account of those who had the power to protest (against wrongdoing) and did not protest; and on account of those who publicly declare their intention to give specified sums for charity and do not give. [Soncino translation]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. What do these four actions have in common? How do they each affect people similarly?
2. When people declare their intent to give charity and then fail to give, what crimes are committed, and against whom?
Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)