Shaila Answer: Gold or Diamonds

Gold or Diamonds? Yud Shavt 5772

In the previous bulletin a question was raised regarding a Jew who left a will stating that that all of his physical assets should be divided between his sons alone, while all gold and silver ornaments and objects that belonged to him should be divided between his daughters and granddaughters as well. Among his gold objects, many were constructed of simple pieces of gold, but were inlaid with many precious stones and diamonds. What is the status of these objects: Are they considered to be gold objects, thus making the daughters and granddaughters their rightful heirs, or are they considered to be diamonds and precious gems, thereby making the sons alone their rightful heirs?

This question was asked of the Maharsham (2:224). He ruled that they are considered as gold objects, because the base of an object determines its status. Therefore, since the base of these objects was gold they are considered as gold objects, despite the fact that the diamonds and precious stones contained therein were exceedingly more valuable than the gold.

As proof for this determination, he cites the story of Eliezer and Rivka, where the Torah states that Eliezer gave Rivka a gold nose-ring weighing a beka, a half shekel. Commentaries explain that the Midrash was bothered by this since a half shekel is not very valuable, especially in terms of the weight of gold. Therefore, the Midrash explained that the nose ring was in fact inlaid with a precious stone weighing a half shekel, which made the nose ring exceedingly valuable. Despite the great value of the precious stone and the relatively minimal value of the ring, the Torah still refers to the nose-ring as the "gold nose-ring". Thus, it is clear that because the base of the nose ring was gold, it is considered to be gold, despite the greater value of the precious stone that it contained.