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R. Assi further said in the name of R. Yohanan: All are required to contribute to the repair of the town walls, including orphans, but not the Rabbis, because the Rabbis do not require protection. R. Papa said: For the repair of the walls, for the horse-guard and for the keeper of the armory even orphans have to contribute, but the Rabbis [do not, since they] do not require protection. The general principle is that even orphans have to contribute for any public service from which they derive benefit. Rabbah levied a contribution for charity on the orphans of the house of Bar Merion; whereupon Abaye said to him: Has not R. Samuel b. Judah laid down that money for charity is not to be levied on orphans even for the redemption of captives? — He replied: I collect from them in order to give them a better standing.
[Soncino translation]

1. How does this text contrast rabbis and orphans? Do you agree with the qualifications of each?
2. What does it mean to be in "better standing?" How does contributing money to community project achieve that?
3. Who should be taxed? Is there anyone who should be exempt from taxes? Why?