2,947. The Valuation of a Dying Person

Hilchos Arachin Vacharamin 1:12

So what’s done with a non-Jew’s donations? First, they ask the non-Jewish donor about his intention in making the vow. If he intended to leave it up to the Jews, the court may use the money as they see fit, except for the upkeep of the Temple and Jerusalem. If he said that his vow was for the sake of Heaven, then the money is hidden away (because it’s consecrated but unusable).

Hilchos Arachin Vacharamin 1:13

A dying person has no valuation or value. Since most dying people will actually pass away, he is considered already dead. Similarly, if someone was sentenced to execution by a Jewish court for a sin that he committed and he or someone else committed his valuation, or he or someone else committed his value, they don’t owe any money because he’s considered as good as dead. A dead person has no valuation and no actual value. Regarding this, Leviticus 27:29 says, “Any condemned person who has been condemned of man shall not be redeemed.” This means that he has no redemption; rather, he’s already considered dead.