Hello kollel!
I see in the Gemara that the chachamim don't need the protection of the wall and are thus able to opt out of paying for it. Two related questions:
1) if they lived in a place in the city where it was possible for the city to build a wall but leaving their houses outside it, would they have any ability to protest/compel that building plan?
2) if an existing wall was damaged or fell near them, similarly could they force anyone else to repair it?
Id assume the answer is no to both and they've essentially fully opted out of all things related to the wall
Shalom Josh,
It's great to hear from you! I agree with you. The implication, especially from the story of Teveryah, is that not only are the Chachamim exempt from paying (e.g., for a wall), but they also do not require its protection at all. If so, it would seem that the answer to both of your questions is indeed no.
However, maybe it's a good idea to qualify this. First, in many instances someone may be considered a Chacham by some, but perhaps in truth he is not be on a sufficiently high level of Torah scholarship to be entirely beyond the need for protection. In such a case, he might be justified in requesting that the wall be built or repaired on his behalf, though in that case he would be obligated to share in the cost.
In addition, we see that this exemption applies to specific matters, such as physical protection. Other communal services provided to residents, such as water, electricity, or transportation, may not necessarily fall under the same exemption for scholars. See the Rambam in Hilchos Shecheinim 6:6 who explains: The Talmidei Chachamim do have to pay, for example, for the maintenance of streets.
May you continue to attain greatness in Torah and Yir'as Shamayim!
Warmly,
Yishai Rasowsky