Don't be cruel

Hi,

"Someone bought land beside his father's land. When it came time to divide up [his father's estate], he requested [of the other heirs], 'Give me my portion along my existing boundary.' 

"Rabbah said: In a case like this [if the heirs refused the request out of spite], we would compel the heirs not to act as Sodom."

(Talmud, Bava Batra 12b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The dangers of disowning

Hi,

"Shemuel said to Rav Yehudah: Sharp one, do not be among those who divert inheritance, even from a bad son to a good son; you don't know what sort of child may emerge from him."

(Talmud, Ketuvot 53a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Should one leave money to his children? Part 2

Hi,

"Rav said to Rav Hemnuna: My son, if you possess something then it is good for you, for in she'ol there is no pleasure and death does not delay. And should you say, 'I will leave a portion for my son,' who will tell you [what happens to it] in she'ol?"

(Talmud, Eruvin 54a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Should one leave money to his children?

Hi,

"When [Reish Lakish] died, he left behind a kav measure of saffron. He applied to himself [apparently negatively] Psalms 49:11, "'And they left their strength to others.'"

[Note: The kav is fairly small, but saffron was a valuable spice. I am not sure how to take this.]

(Talmud, Gittin 47a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Property should stay in the family

Hi,

"Where one has instructed that his assets should be distributed 'in the best possible way', they should be given to his heirs; there could be nothing better."

(Rabbi Moshe Isserles, Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat 282:1)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Of children and grandchildren and hope

Hi,

"Shemuel told Rav Yehudah, 'Sharp one! Do not be on the court [alt. edition: "among those"] to transfer inheritance, even from a bad son to a good son – for you do not know what sort of seed will emerge from him."

(Talmud, Ketuvot 53a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Prepare a Will

Hi,

"Sometimes a person depends upon himself, planning that when he will be close to death he will create a will and instruct his children to give to Torah study and other sacred causes on his behalf.

"Obstacles may arise, though. First, who knows whether he will have a clear mind? This, too, requires merit, to be able to instruct his children. Some people die, Gd-forbid, of abnormal and sudden deaths.

"Further, who knows that his children will fulfill his instructions? In our great sins, this is also known to happen, for greed causes a person to violate his Creator’s intent and his parent’s intent.

"Therefore, Shlomo haMelech instructed [Kohelet 9:10], “Do all that is in your power,” meaning that it would be better to direct one’s assets… when he is still strong, when he will be wise and able to do it in such a way that his desires will be honored."

(R' Yisrael Meir Kagan (Chafetz Chaim), Ahavat Chesed 3:4)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Estate Advice

Hi,

"Shemuel said to Rav Yehudah: Sharp one! Do not be among those who shift portions, even from a bad son to a good son."

(Talmud, Bava Batra 133b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai