DEUT911 In the case of communal workers, we find an interesting form of providing for widows and orphans, over and above or instead of a pension. By custom or by law, the sons of communal officials were to succeed their fathers after their death. This is presented by Maimonides as follows. “The kingship is a hereditary function, as it is written ‘in order that his reign and that of his sons shall be prolonged in Israel’ [Deuteronomy 17:20] ... And not only is this [hereditary] but all communal officials in all appointments in Israel are hereditary.” Mishneh Torah, Hilkhot Melachim, chapter 1, halakhah 7. This succession was seen, then, not only as an expression of honor toward the former officials but also as a means of providing for the maintenance of the widow and other dependents. The son, legally, had the obligation to provide for his mother and younger unmarried siblings, so that providing him with a job enabled him to fulfill this obligation and freed the community from the financial burden. In order to protect the public from incapable or unsuitable heirs, the halakhah demanded that the successor be fit to fulfill the position. He need not, however, be the most capable or qualified candidate.