רמבם, משנה, סוכה ג:א
A mitzvah that is done by committing a transgression is not a mitzvah. Therefore, a stolen lulav, or one that was used in idol worship or that comes from a lost city is invalid [for use].
[AJWS translation]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. What are the implications of this text on charitable giving? If we earn money in ways that are harmful, but then give a portion of that money to charity, is that permissible?
2. What might our society, or even the world, look like if everyone only earned money in ways that did not harm or hinder the well being of any other person? Would charity then be needed?
Time Period: Medieval (Geonim through the 16th Century)