Bava Batra
Masechet Bava Batra is sponsored by Lori Stark in loving memory of her mother in law, Sara Shapiro z”l and her father Nehemiah Sosewitz z”l.
This month’s learning is sponsored by Adam, Carolyn, Michal, Josh, Benny, Izzy, Gali, Shim, Zoe, Zachy and Yehuda in loving memory of Fred Hochstadter, Ephraim ben Kayla veBaruch on his 18th yahrzeit on ח׳ אלול. “We continue to be inspired by his dedication to daily learning, from the Daf and beyond, to its surrounding philosophical, historical and legal nuances. We miss him greatly and can only strive to emulate his wise, kind and elegant ways.”
This month’s learning is sponsored by Adam, Carolyn, Michal, Josh, Benny, Izzy, Gali, Shim, Zoe, Zachy and Yehuda in loving memory of Fred Hochstadter, Ephraim ben Kayla veBaruch on his 18th yahrzeit on ח׳ אלול. “We continue to be inspired by his dedication to daily learning, from the Daf and beyond, to its surrounding philosophical, historical and legal nuances. We miss him greatly and can only strive to emulate his wise, kind and elegant ways.”
Want to dedicate learning? Get started here:
Today’s daily daf tools:
Bava Batra
Masechet Bava Batra is sponsored by Lori Stark in loving memory of her mother in law, Sara Shapiro z”l and her father Nehemiah Sosewitz z”l.
This month’s learning is sponsored by Adam, Carolyn, Michal, Josh, Benny, Izzy, Gali, Shim, Zoe, Zachy and Yehuda in loving memory of Fred Hochstadter, Ephraim ben Kayla veBaruch on his 18th yahrzeit on ח׳ אלול. “We continue to be inspired by his dedication to daily learning, from the Daf and beyond, to its surrounding philosophical, historical and legal nuances. We miss him greatly and can only strive to emulate his wise, kind and elegant ways.”
This month’s learning is sponsored by Adam, Carolyn, Michal, Josh, Benny, Izzy, Gali, Shim, Zoe, Zachy and Yehuda in loving memory of Fred Hochstadter, Ephraim ben Kayla veBaruch on his 18th yahrzeit on ח׳ אלול. “We continue to be inspired by his dedication to daily learning, from the Daf and beyond, to its surrounding philosophical, historical and legal nuances. We miss him greatly and can only strive to emulate his wise, kind and elegant ways.”
Bava Batra 53
שֶׁלֹּא בְּפָנָיו – צָרִיךְ לְמֵימַר לֵיהּ: ״לֵךְ חֲזֵק וּקְנִי״.
But if the act was performed not in the seller’s presence, the seller must say to him: Go, take possession and thereby acquire the property for him to acquire it.
בָּעֵי רַב: מַתָּנָה – הֵיאַךְ? אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: מַאי תִּבְעֵי לֵיהּ לְאַבָּא? הַשְׁתָּא וּמָה מֶכֶר, דְּקָא יָהֵיב לֵיהּ זוּזֵי, אִי אֲמַר לֵיהּ: ״לֵךְ חֲזֵק וּקְנִי״ – אִין, אִי לָא – לָא; מַתָּנָה, לֹא כׇּל שֶׁכֵּן?! וְרַב סָבַר: מַאן דְּיָהֵיב מַתָּנָה, בְּעַיִן יָפָה יָהֵיב.
Rav raises a dilemma: How does one acquire a gift, i.e., is it necessary for the giver to say: Go, take possession and thereby acquire? Shmuel said: What dilemma is raised to Abba, i.e., Rav? Now one could say the following: And what is the halakha with regard to a sale, where the buyer is giving money to the seller? If the seller says to the buyer: Go, take possession and thereby acquire the property, the acquisition does take effect, but if he did not say this, it does not. Therefore, with regard to a gift, where no money is given to the seller, is it not all the more so reasonable that the acquisition not take effect without a clear directive from the seller? The Gemara answers: And Rav holds that it is possible to say that one who gives a gift gives it generously, and would allow the acquisition even absent a clear directive.
וְכַמָּה כׇּל שֶׁהוּא? כְּדִשְׁמוּאֵל – דְּאָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: גָּדַר גָּדֵר וְהִשְׁלִימוֹ לַעֲשָׂרָה, וּפָרַץ פִּרְצָה כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּכָּנֵס וְיֵצֵא בָּהּ – הֲרֵי זוֹ חֲזָקָה.
§ The mishna teaches that taking possession can be performed by building a fence or breaching a fence even a bit. The Gemara clarifies: And how much is the measure of a bit? It is in accordance with the statement of Shmuel, as Shmuel says: If one had previously built a fence, and now completed it to a height of ten handbreadths, which is the height of a halakhically significant barrier; or similarly, if one had previously breached a breach, and now expanded it in order that it be large enough that a person can enter and exit through it, this is considered taking possession.
הַאי גָּדֵר הֵיכִי דָמֵי? אִילֵּימָא דְּמֵעִיקָּרָא לָא הֲווֹ סָלְקִי לַהּ, וְהַשְׁתָּא נָמֵי לָא סָלְקִי לַהּ – מַאי עֲבַד? וְאֶלָּא דְּמֵעִיקָּרָא הֲווֹ סָלְקִי לַהּ, וְהַשְׁתָּא לָא סָלְקִי לַהּ – טוּבָא עֲבַד! לָא צְרִיכָא, דְּמֵעִיקָּרָא הֲווֹ סָלְקִי לַהּ בְּרַוְוחָא, וְהַשְׁתָּא קָא סָלְקִי לַהּ בְּדוּחְקָא.
The Gemara asks: What are the circumstances of this fence? If we say that initially one could not climb over it to enter the field, and now too one still could not climb over it, what did he accomplish? Nothing has changed through his completing the height of the fence. And alternatively, if it was such that initially one could climb over it to enter the field, and now one could not climb over it, he has accomplished a great deal, and the mishna should not have referred to this addition as: A bit. The Gemara answers: No, it is necessary to state this ruling if the height of the fence was such that initially one could climb over it with ease, and now one could climb over it only with effort.
הַאי פִּרְצָה – הֵיכִי דָמֵי? אִילֵּימָא דְּמֵעִיקָּרָא הֲווֹ עָיְילִי בַּהּ, וְהַשְׁתָּא נָמֵי עָיְילִי בַּהּ – מַאי עֲבַד? וְאֶלָּא דְּמֵעִיקָּרָא לָא הֲווֹ עָיְילִי בַּהּ, וְהַשְׁתָּא קָא עָיְילִי בַּהּ – טוּבָא עֲבַד! לָא צְרִיכָא, דְּמֵעִיקָּרָא הֲווֹ עָיְילִי בַּהּ בְּדוּחְקָא, וְהַשְׁתָּא עָיְילִי בַּהּ בְּרַוְוחָא.
The Gemara similarly asks: What are the circumstances of this breach? If we say that initially, one could enter the field through it, and now too one could enter the field through it, what did he accomplish? Nothing has changed through his expanding the breach? And alternatively, if it was such that initially one could not enter the field through it, and now one could enter the field through it, he has accomplished a great deal, and the mishna should not have referred to this as: A bit. The Gemara answers: No, it is necessary to state this ruling if the size of the breach was such that initially one could enter the field through it with effort, and now one could enter the field through it with ease.
אָמַר רַב אַסִּי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: נָתָן צְרוֹר וְהוֹעִיל, נָטַל צְרוֹר וְהוֹעִיל – הֲרֵי זוֹ חֲזָקָה. מַאי ״נָתַן״ וּמַאי ״נָטַל״?
Rav Asi says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: If one placed a stone and it helps to serve some objective, or if one removed a stone and it helps to serve some objective, this act is considered taking possession. The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of placed, and what is the meaning of removed?
אִילֵּימָא נָתַן צְרוֹר – וּסְכַר מַיָּא מִינַּהּ, נָטַל צְרוֹר – וְאַפֵּיק מַיָּא מִינַּהּ; הַאי מַבְרִיחַ אֲרִי מִנִּכְסֵי חֲבֵרוֹ הוּא! אֶלָּא נָתַן צְרוֹר – דְּצַמֵּד לַהּ מַיָּא, נָטַל צְרוֹר – וְאַרְוַח לַהּ מַיָּא.
If we say that he placed a stone in the fence and stopped the water from flooding the field, or he removed a stone from the fence and thereby fashioned an opening that released water that had been flooding the field, this is analogous to one who chases away a lion from another’s property. In other words, these acts prevent damage to the field, which one is obligated to prevent even in the case of the property of another, and accordingly, they do not constitute a demonstration of ownership. Rather, it means that he placed a stone that connected water to the field and irrigated it, or he removed a stone and enhanced the flow of water to it.
וְאָמַר רַב אַסִּי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: שְׁתֵּי שָׂדוֹת וּמֶצֶר אֶחָד בֵּינֵיהֶן, הֶחְזִיק בְּאַחַת מֵהֶן לִקְנוֹתָהּ – קְנָאָהּ.
§ The Gemara cites another statement of the same amora with regard to taking possession. And Rav Asi says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: If there were two fields with one boundary between them, and one took possession of one of the fields in order to acquire it, he has acquired it.
לִקְנוֹת אוֹתָהּ וְאֶת חֲבֶרְתָּהּ – אוֹתָהּ קָנָה, חֲבֶרְתָּהּ לֹא קָנָה. לִקְנוֹת אֶת חֲבֶרְתָּהּ – אַף אוֹתָהּ לֹא קָנָה.
If his intention was to acquire it and also acquire the other field, he has acquired the first field, but has not acquired the other field, since the fields are separated by a boundary. If he took possession of one field in order to acquire only the other field, he has not acquired even that field of which he took possession, since his intention when taking possession was to acquire the other field, and one does not acquire an item without the intention to do so.
בָּעֵי רַבִּי זֵירָא: הֶחְזִיק בְּאַחַת מֵהֶן לִקְנוֹת אוֹתָהּ, וְאֶת הַמֶּצֶר, וְאֶת חֲבֶרְתָּהּ – מַהוּ? מִי אָמְרִינַן: מֶצֶר דְּאַרְעָא חַד הוּא, וְקָנֵי; אוֹ דִּלְמָא הַאי לְחוֹדֵיהּ קָאֵי וְהַאי לְחוֹדֵיהּ קָאֵי? תֵּיקוּ.
Rabbi Zeira raises a dilemma: What is the halakha if one took possession of one of the fields in order to acquire it, and the boundary, and the other field, all together? Do we say that the boundary of the land is one, i.e., these two fields are joined by means of their common boundary, and therefore he has acquired all of them? Or perhaps this field stands alone and that field stands alone. The Gemara notes that the dilemma shall stand unresolved.
בָּעֵי רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: הֶחְזִיק בַּמֶּצֶר לִקְנוֹת שְׁתֵּיהֶן, מַהוּ? מִי אָמְרִינַן הַאי מֶצֶר – אַפְסֵרָא דְאַרְעָא הוּא, וְקָנֵי; אוֹ דִּלְמָא הַאי לְחוֹדֵיהּ קָאֵי וְהַאי לְחוֹדֵיהּ קָאֵי? תֵּיקוּ.
Rabbi Elazar raises a dilemma: What is the halakha if one took possession of the boundary between the two fields in order to acquire both of the fields? Do we say that the legal status of this boundary is that of the halter of the land and he acquires the fields, just as one acquires an animal through the acquisition of its halter? Or perhaps this field stands alone and that field stands alone, as the boundary is not connected to the field in the same manner that a halter is connected to an animal. The Gemara notes that the dilemma shall stand unresolved.
אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר אֲבוּהּ: שְׁנֵי בָתִּים זֶה לִפְנִים מִזֶּה, הֶחְזִיק בַּחִיצוֹן לִקְנוֹתוֹ – קְנָאוֹ. לִקְנוֹת אוֹתוֹ וְאֶת הַפְּנִימִי – חִיצוֹן קָנָה, פְּנִימִי לֹא קָנָה. לִקְנוֹת אֶת הַפְּנִימִי – אַף חִיצוֹן נָמֵי לֹא קָנָה.
Similarly, Rav Naḥman says that Rabba bar Avuh says: If there were two houses in a courtyard, this one situated within the courtyard relative to that one, and one took possession of the outer house in order to acquire it, he has acquired it. If his intention was to acquire it and also acquire the inner house, he has acquired the outer house, but has not acquired the inner house. If he took possession of the outer house in order to acquire the inner house alone, he has not acquired even the outer house.
הֶחְזִיק בַּפְּנִימִי לִקְנוֹתוֹ – קְנָאוֹ. לִקְנוֹת אוֹתוֹ וְאֶת הַחִיצוֹן – קָנָה שְׁנֵיהֶן. לִקְנוֹת אֶת הַחִיצוֹן – אַף פְּנִימִי לֹא קָנָה.
If he took possession of the inner house in order to acquire it, he has acquired it. If his intention was to acquire it and also acquire the outer house, he has acquired both of them. Since the residents of the inner house possess the right to pass through the outer house in order to enter and exit the courtyard, the outer house is viewed as an extension of the inner house. If he took possession of the inner house in order to acquire only the outer house, he has not acquired even the inner house, since he did not take possession of the property that he intended to acquire.
אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר אֲבוּהּ: הַבּוֹנֶה פַּלְטֵרִין גְּדוֹלִים בְּנִכְסֵי הַגֵּר, וּבָא אַחֵר וְהֶעֱמִיד לָהֶן דְּלָתוֹת – קָנָה. מַאי טַעְמָא? קַמָּא – לִבְנֵי בְּעָלְמָא הוּא דַּאֲפֵיךְ.
§ The Gemara continues its discussion of taking possession of ownerless property. Rav Naḥman says that Rabba bar Avuh says: With regard to one who builds large palaces [palterin] on the property of a convert who died without heirs, and another came and placed doors upon them, the latter has acquired the property. The Gemara explains: What is the reason for this? The first, i.e., the one who built the palaces, merely turned over bricks, i.e., building an incomplete house is not sufficient to take possession of the property.
אָמַר רַב דִּימִי בַּר יוֹסֵף אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: הַמּוֹצֵא פַּלְטֵרִין בְּנִכְסֵי הַגֵּר, וְסָד בָּהֶן סִיּוּד אֶחָד אוֹ כִּיּוּר אֶחָד – קְנָאָן. וְכַמָּה? אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: אַמָּה. אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: וּכְנֶגֶד הַפֶּתַח.
Rav Dimi bar Yosef says that Rabbi Elazar says: One who finds palaces built on the property of a convert who died without heirs and plastered them with one application of plaster or tiled them with one tile, has acquired them. The Gemara asks: And how much, i.e., what is the minimum area that must be plastered or tiled? Rav Yosef said: A square cubit. Rav Ḥisda said: And he acquires it in this manner only if it was plastered or tiled opposite the entrance, where it can be easily seen.
אָמַר רַב עַמְרָם: הַאי מִילְּתָא אֲמַר לַן רַב שֵׁשֶׁת, וְאַנְהֲרִינְהוּ עַיְנִין מִמַּתְנִיתָא: הַמַּצִּיעַ מַצָּעוֹת בְּנִכְסֵי הַגֵּר – קָנָה. ״וְאַנְהֲרִינְהוּ עַיְנִין מִמַּתְנִיתָא״ – מַאי הִיא? דְּתַנְיָא: כֵּיצַד בַּחֲזָקָה? נָעַל לוֹ מִנְעָלוֹ, אוֹ הִתִּיר לוֹ מִנְעָלוֹ, אוֹ שֶׁהוֹלִיךְ כֵּלָיו אַחֲרָיו לְבֵית הַמֶּרְחָץ, וְהִפְשִׁיטוֹ, וְהִרְחִיצוֹ, סָכוֹ, גֵּרְדוֹ, וְהִלְבִּישׁוֹ, וְהִנְעִילוֹ, וְהִגְבִּיהוֹ – קְנָאוֹ. אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן: לֹא תְּהֵא חֲזָקָה גְּדוֹלָה מֵהַגְבָּהָה – שֶׁהַגְבָּהָה קוֹנָה בְּכׇל מָקוֹם.
Rav Amram said: Rav Sheshet said this statement to us, and he enlightened our eyes from a baraita that alludes to the same matter. He said: One who spreads out mattresses on the property of a convert who died without heirs has acquired it. And that which I said, that he enlightened our eyes from a baraita, what is it? As it is taught in a baraita (Tosefta, Kiddushin 1:5): How does one acquire a Canaanite slave through taking possession? If the slave placed one’s shoe for him, or untied his shoe for him, or if it occurred that he carried his garments after him to the bathhouse, or undresses him, or bathes him, or anoints him, or scrubs the oil off him, or dresses him, or puts on his shoes, or lifts him, one acquires the slave. Rabbi Shimon said: The acquisition generated by taking possession should not be considered greater than the acquisition generated by lifting, as lifting acquires property in any situation.
מַאי קָאָמַר? הָכִי קָאָמַר: הִגְבִּיהוֹ לְרַבּוֹ – קְנָאוֹ, הִגְבִּיהַּ רַבּוֹ לוֹ – לֹא קְנָאוֹ. אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן: לֹא תְּהֵא חֲזָקָה גְּדוֹלָה מֵהַגְבָּהָה – שֶׁהַגְבָּהָה קוֹנָה בְּכׇל מָקוֹם.
With regard to this last statement, the Gemara asks: What is Rabbi Shimon saying here, as the first tanna also said that a slave can be acquired by lifting? The Gemara explains: This is what he is saying: The first tanna holds that if he lifted his master, the master acquires him, as he is performing labor for the master, but if his master lifted him, the master does not acquire him, as the slave has not performed labor on his behalf. With regard to this halakha, Rabbi Shimon said: Acquisition generated through taking possession should not be greater than acquisition generated through lifting, as lifting acquires property in any situation. Consequently, one can acquire a slave even by lifting him.
אָמַר רַב יִרְמְיָה בִּירָאָה אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה: הַאי מַאן
Rav Yirmeya Bira’a says that Rav Yehuda says: With regard to this one
Today’s daily daf tools:
Delve Deeper
Broaden your understanding of the topics on this daf with classes and podcasts from top women Talmud scholars.
New to Talmud?
Check out our resources designed to help you navigate a page of Talmud – and study at the pace, level and style that fits you.
The Hadran Women’s Tapestry
Meet the diverse women learning Gemara at Hadran and hear their stories.
When the new cycle began, I thought, If not now, when? I’d just turned 72. I feel like a tourist on a tour bus passing astonishing scenery each day. Rabbanit Michelle is my beloved tour guide. When the cycle ends, I’ll be 80. I pray that I’ll have strength and mind to continue the journey to glimpse a little more. My grandchildren think having a daf-learning savta is cool!
Jerusalem, Israel
I am a Reform rabbi and took Talmud courses in rabbinical school, but I knew there was so much more to learn. It felt inauthentic to serve as a rabbi without having read the entire Talmud, so when the opportunity arose to start Daf Yomi in 2020, I dove in! Thanks to Hadran, Daf Yomi has enriched my understanding of rabbinic Judaism and deepened my love of Jewish text & tradition. Todah rabbah!
California, United States
Mamaroneck, NY, United States
Jerusalem, Israel
When I began learning Daf Yomi at the beginning of the current cycle, I was preparing for an upcoming surgery and thought that learning the Daf would be something positive I could do each day during my recovery, even if I accomplished nothing else. I had no idea what a lifeline learning the Daf would turn out to be in so many ways.
Lexington, MA, United States
3 years ago, I joined Rabbanit Michelle to organize the unprecedented Siyum HaShas event in Jerusalem for thousands of women. The whole experience was so inspiring that I decided then to start learning the daf and see how I would go…. and I’m still at it. I often listen to the Daf on my bike in mornings, surrounded by both the external & the internal beauty of Eretz Yisrael & Am Yisrael!
Raanana, Israel
תמיד רציתי. למדתי גמרא בבית ספר בטורונטו קנדה. עליתי ארצה ולמדתי שזה לא מקובל. הופתעתי.
יצאתי לגימלאות לפני שנתיים וזה מאפשר את המחוייבות לדף יומי.
עבורי ההתמדה בלימוד מעגן אותי בקשר שלי ליהדות. אני תמיד מחפשת ותמיד. מוצאת מקור לקשר. ללימוד חדש ומחדש. קשר עם נשים לומדות מעמיק את החוויה ומשמעותית מאוד.
מיתר, ישראל
Hadran entered my life after the last Siyum Hashaas, January 2020. I was inspired and challenged simultaneously, having never thought of learning Gemara. With my family’s encouragement, I googled “daf yomi for women”. A perfecr fit!
I especially enjoy when Rabbanit Michelle connects the daf to contemporary issues to share at the shabbat table e.g: looking at the Kohen during duchaning. Toda rabba
Jerusalem, Israel
I never thought I’d be able to do Daf Yomi till I saw the video of Hadran’s Siyum HaShas. Now, 2 years later, I’m about to participate in Siyum Seder Mo’ed with my Hadran community. It has been an incredible privilege to learn with Rabbanit Michelle and to get to know so many caring, talented and knowledgeable women. I look forward with great anticipation and excitement to learning Seder Nashim.
Karmiel, Israel
With Rabbanit Dr. Naomi Cohen in the Women’s Talmud class, over 30 years ago. It was a “known” class and it was accepted, because of who taught. Since then I have also studied with Avigail Gross-Gelman and Dr. Gabriel Hazut for about a year). Years ago, in a shiur in my shul, I did know about Persians doing 3 things with their clothes on. They opened the shiur to woman after that!
Haifa, Israel
After reading the book, “ If All The Seas Were Ink “ by Ileana Kurshan I started studying Talmud. I searched and studied with several teachers until I found Michelle Farber. I have been studying with her for two years. I look forward every day to learn from her.
Virginia, United States
I was moved to tears by the Hadran Siyyum HaShas. I have learned Torah all my life, but never connected to learning Gemara on a regular basis until then. Seeing the sheer joy Talmud Torah at the siyyum, I felt compelled to be part of it, and I haven’t missed a day!
It’s not always easy, but it is so worthwhile, and it has strengthened my love of learning. It is part of my life now.
Beit Shemesh, Israel
Philadelphia, United States
I began learning the daf in January 2022. I initially “flew under the radar,” sharing my journey with my husband and a few close friends. I was apprehensive – who, me? Gemara? Now, 2 years in, I feel changed. The rigor of a daily commitment frames my days. The intellectual engagement enhances my knowledge. And the virtual community of learners has become a new family, weaving a glorious tapestry.
Far Rockaway, United States
I heard about the syium in January 2020 & I was excited to start learning then the pandemic started. Learning Daf became something to focus on but also something stressful. As the world changed around me & my family I had to adjust my expectations for myself & the world. Daf Yomi & the Hadran podcast has been something I look forward to every day. It gives me a moment of centering & Judaism daily.
Denver, United States
After enthusing to my friend Ruth Kahan about how much I had enjoyed remote Jewish learning during the earlier part of the pandemic, she challenged me to join her in learning the daf yomi cycle. I had always wanted to do daf yomi but now had no excuse. The beginning was particularly hard as I had never studied Talmud but has become easier, as I have gained some familiarity with it.
Brookline, United States
I started learning Daf in Jan 2020 with Brachot b/c I had never seen the Jewish people united around something so positive, and I wanted to be a part of it. Also, I wanted to broaden my background in Torah Shebal Peh- Maayanot gave me a great gemara education, but I knew that I could hold a conversation in most parts of tanach but almost no TSB. I’m so thankful for Daf and have gained immensely.
NJ, United States
I learned Mishnayot more than twenty years ago and started with Gemara much later in life. Although I never managed to learn Daf Yomi consistently, I am learning since some years Gemara in depth and with much joy. Since last year I am studying at the International Halakha Scholars Program at the WIHL. I often listen to Rabbanit Farbers Gemara shiurim to understand better a specific sugyiah. I am grateful for the help and inspiration!
Berlin, Germany
Raanana, Israel
When I was working and taking care of my children, learning was never on the list. Now that I have more time I have two different Gemora classes and the nach yomi as well as the mishna yomi daily.
Jerusalem, Israel
Bava Batra 53
שֶׁלֹּא בְּפָנָיו – צָרִיךְ לְמֵימַר לֵיהּ: ״לֵךְ חֲזֵק וּקְנִי״.
But if the act was performed not in the seller’s presence, the seller must say to him: Go, take possession and thereby acquire the property for him to acquire it.
בָּעֵי רַב: מַתָּנָה – הֵיאַךְ? אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: מַאי תִּבְעֵי לֵיהּ לְאַבָּא? הַשְׁתָּא וּמָה מֶכֶר, דְּקָא יָהֵיב לֵיהּ זוּזֵי, אִי אֲמַר לֵיהּ: ״לֵךְ חֲזֵק וּקְנִי״ – אִין, אִי לָא – לָא; מַתָּנָה, לֹא כׇּל שֶׁכֵּן?! וְרַב סָבַר: מַאן דְּיָהֵיב מַתָּנָה, בְּעַיִן יָפָה יָהֵיב.
Rav raises a dilemma: How does one acquire a gift, i.e., is it necessary for the giver to say: Go, take possession and thereby acquire? Shmuel said: What dilemma is raised to Abba, i.e., Rav? Now one could say the following: And what is the halakha with regard to a sale, where the buyer is giving money to the seller? If the seller says to the buyer: Go, take possession and thereby acquire the property, the acquisition does take effect, but if he did not say this, it does not. Therefore, with regard to a gift, where no money is given to the seller, is it not all the more so reasonable that the acquisition not take effect without a clear directive from the seller? The Gemara answers: And Rav holds that it is possible to say that one who gives a gift gives it generously, and would allow the acquisition even absent a clear directive.
וְכַמָּה כׇּל שֶׁהוּא? כְּדִשְׁמוּאֵל – דְּאָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: גָּדַר גָּדֵר וְהִשְׁלִימוֹ לַעֲשָׂרָה, וּפָרַץ פִּרְצָה כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּכָּנֵס וְיֵצֵא בָּהּ – הֲרֵי זוֹ חֲזָקָה.
§ The mishna teaches that taking possession can be performed by building a fence or breaching a fence even a bit. The Gemara clarifies: And how much is the measure of a bit? It is in accordance with the statement of Shmuel, as Shmuel says: If one had previously built a fence, and now completed it to a height of ten handbreadths, which is the height of a halakhically significant barrier; or similarly, if one had previously breached a breach, and now expanded it in order that it be large enough that a person can enter and exit through it, this is considered taking possession.
הַאי גָּדֵר הֵיכִי דָמֵי? אִילֵּימָא דְּמֵעִיקָּרָא לָא הֲווֹ סָלְקִי לַהּ, וְהַשְׁתָּא נָמֵי לָא סָלְקִי לַהּ – מַאי עֲבַד? וְאֶלָּא דְּמֵעִיקָּרָא הֲווֹ סָלְקִי לַהּ, וְהַשְׁתָּא לָא סָלְקִי לַהּ – טוּבָא עֲבַד! לָא צְרִיכָא, דְּמֵעִיקָּרָא הֲווֹ סָלְקִי לַהּ בְּרַוְוחָא, וְהַשְׁתָּא קָא סָלְקִי לַהּ בְּדוּחְקָא.
The Gemara asks: What are the circumstances of this fence? If we say that initially one could not climb over it to enter the field, and now too one still could not climb over it, what did he accomplish? Nothing has changed through his completing the height of the fence. And alternatively, if it was such that initially one could climb over it to enter the field, and now one could not climb over it, he has accomplished a great deal, and the mishna should not have referred to this addition as: A bit. The Gemara answers: No, it is necessary to state this ruling if the height of the fence was such that initially one could climb over it with ease, and now one could climb over it only with effort.
הַאי פִּרְצָה – הֵיכִי דָמֵי? אִילֵּימָא דְּמֵעִיקָּרָא הֲווֹ עָיְילִי בַּהּ, וְהַשְׁתָּא נָמֵי עָיְילִי בַּהּ – מַאי עֲבַד? וְאֶלָּא דְּמֵעִיקָּרָא לָא הֲווֹ עָיְילִי בַּהּ, וְהַשְׁתָּא קָא עָיְילִי בַּהּ – טוּבָא עֲבַד! לָא צְרִיכָא, דְּמֵעִיקָּרָא הֲווֹ עָיְילִי בַּהּ בְּדוּחְקָא, וְהַשְׁתָּא עָיְילִי בַּהּ בְּרַוְוחָא.
The Gemara similarly asks: What are the circumstances of this breach? If we say that initially, one could enter the field through it, and now too one could enter the field through it, what did he accomplish? Nothing has changed through his expanding the breach? And alternatively, if it was such that initially one could not enter the field through it, and now one could enter the field through it, he has accomplished a great deal, and the mishna should not have referred to this as: A bit. The Gemara answers: No, it is necessary to state this ruling if the size of the breach was such that initially one could enter the field through it with effort, and now one could enter the field through it with ease.
אָמַר רַב אַסִּי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: נָתָן צְרוֹר וְהוֹעִיל, נָטַל צְרוֹר וְהוֹעִיל – הֲרֵי זוֹ חֲזָקָה. מַאי ״נָתַן״ וּמַאי ״נָטַל״?
Rav Asi says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: If one placed a stone and it helps to serve some objective, or if one removed a stone and it helps to serve some objective, this act is considered taking possession. The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of placed, and what is the meaning of removed?
אִילֵּימָא נָתַן צְרוֹר – וּסְכַר מַיָּא מִינַּהּ, נָטַל צְרוֹר – וְאַפֵּיק מַיָּא מִינַּהּ; הַאי מַבְרִיחַ אֲרִי מִנִּכְסֵי חֲבֵרוֹ הוּא! אֶלָּא נָתַן צְרוֹר – דְּצַמֵּד לַהּ מַיָּא, נָטַל צְרוֹר – וְאַרְוַח לַהּ מַיָּא.
If we say that he placed a stone in the fence and stopped the water from flooding the field, or he removed a stone from the fence and thereby fashioned an opening that released water that had been flooding the field, this is analogous to one who chases away a lion from another’s property. In other words, these acts prevent damage to the field, which one is obligated to prevent even in the case of the property of another, and accordingly, they do not constitute a demonstration of ownership. Rather, it means that he placed a stone that connected water to the field and irrigated it, or he removed a stone and enhanced the flow of water to it.
וְאָמַר רַב אַסִּי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: שְׁתֵּי שָׂדוֹת וּמֶצֶר אֶחָד בֵּינֵיהֶן, הֶחְזִיק בְּאַחַת מֵהֶן לִקְנוֹתָהּ – קְנָאָהּ.
§ The Gemara cites another statement of the same amora with regard to taking possession. And Rav Asi says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: If there were two fields with one boundary between them, and one took possession of one of the fields in order to acquire it, he has acquired it.
לִקְנוֹת אוֹתָהּ וְאֶת חֲבֶרְתָּהּ – אוֹתָהּ קָנָה, חֲבֶרְתָּהּ לֹא קָנָה. לִקְנוֹת אֶת חֲבֶרְתָּהּ – אַף אוֹתָהּ לֹא קָנָה.
If his intention was to acquire it and also acquire the other field, he has acquired the first field, but has not acquired the other field, since the fields are separated by a boundary. If he took possession of one field in order to acquire only the other field, he has not acquired even that field of which he took possession, since his intention when taking possession was to acquire the other field, and one does not acquire an item without the intention to do so.
בָּעֵי רַבִּי זֵירָא: הֶחְזִיק בְּאַחַת מֵהֶן לִקְנוֹת אוֹתָהּ, וְאֶת הַמֶּצֶר, וְאֶת חֲבֶרְתָּהּ – מַהוּ? מִי אָמְרִינַן: מֶצֶר דְּאַרְעָא חַד הוּא, וְקָנֵי; אוֹ דִּלְמָא הַאי לְחוֹדֵיהּ קָאֵי וְהַאי לְחוֹדֵיהּ קָאֵי? תֵּיקוּ.
Rabbi Zeira raises a dilemma: What is the halakha if one took possession of one of the fields in order to acquire it, and the boundary, and the other field, all together? Do we say that the boundary of the land is one, i.e., these two fields are joined by means of their common boundary, and therefore he has acquired all of them? Or perhaps this field stands alone and that field stands alone. The Gemara notes that the dilemma shall stand unresolved.
בָּעֵי רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: הֶחְזִיק בַּמֶּצֶר לִקְנוֹת שְׁתֵּיהֶן, מַהוּ? מִי אָמְרִינַן הַאי מֶצֶר – אַפְסֵרָא דְאַרְעָא הוּא, וְקָנֵי; אוֹ דִּלְמָא הַאי לְחוֹדֵיהּ קָאֵי וְהַאי לְחוֹדֵיהּ קָאֵי? תֵּיקוּ.
Rabbi Elazar raises a dilemma: What is the halakha if one took possession of the boundary between the two fields in order to acquire both of the fields? Do we say that the legal status of this boundary is that of the halter of the land and he acquires the fields, just as one acquires an animal through the acquisition of its halter? Or perhaps this field stands alone and that field stands alone, as the boundary is not connected to the field in the same manner that a halter is connected to an animal. The Gemara notes that the dilemma shall stand unresolved.
אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר אֲבוּהּ: שְׁנֵי בָתִּים זֶה לִפְנִים מִזֶּה, הֶחְזִיק בַּחִיצוֹן לִקְנוֹתוֹ – קְנָאוֹ. לִקְנוֹת אוֹתוֹ וְאֶת הַפְּנִימִי – חִיצוֹן קָנָה, פְּנִימִי לֹא קָנָה. לִקְנוֹת אֶת הַפְּנִימִי – אַף חִיצוֹן נָמֵי לֹא קָנָה.
Similarly, Rav Naḥman says that Rabba bar Avuh says: If there were two houses in a courtyard, this one situated within the courtyard relative to that one, and one took possession of the outer house in order to acquire it, he has acquired it. If his intention was to acquire it and also acquire the inner house, he has acquired the outer house, but has not acquired the inner house. If he took possession of the outer house in order to acquire the inner house alone, he has not acquired even the outer house.
הֶחְזִיק בַּפְּנִימִי לִקְנוֹתוֹ – קְנָאוֹ. לִקְנוֹת אוֹתוֹ וְאֶת הַחִיצוֹן – קָנָה שְׁנֵיהֶן. לִקְנוֹת אֶת הַחִיצוֹן – אַף פְּנִימִי לֹא קָנָה.
If he took possession of the inner house in order to acquire it, he has acquired it. If his intention was to acquire it and also acquire the outer house, he has acquired both of them. Since the residents of the inner house possess the right to pass through the outer house in order to enter and exit the courtyard, the outer house is viewed as an extension of the inner house. If he took possession of the inner house in order to acquire only the outer house, he has not acquired even the inner house, since he did not take possession of the property that he intended to acquire.
אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר אֲבוּהּ: הַבּוֹנֶה פַּלְטֵרִין גְּדוֹלִים בְּנִכְסֵי הַגֵּר, וּבָא אַחֵר וְהֶעֱמִיד לָהֶן דְּלָתוֹת – קָנָה. מַאי טַעְמָא? קַמָּא – לִבְנֵי בְּעָלְמָא הוּא דַּאֲפֵיךְ.
§ The Gemara continues its discussion of taking possession of ownerless property. Rav Naḥman says that Rabba bar Avuh says: With regard to one who builds large palaces [palterin] on the property of a convert who died without heirs, and another came and placed doors upon them, the latter has acquired the property. The Gemara explains: What is the reason for this? The first, i.e., the one who built the palaces, merely turned over bricks, i.e., building an incomplete house is not sufficient to take possession of the property.
אָמַר רַב דִּימִי בַּר יוֹסֵף אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: הַמּוֹצֵא פַּלְטֵרִין בְּנִכְסֵי הַגֵּר, וְסָד בָּהֶן סִיּוּד אֶחָד אוֹ כִּיּוּר אֶחָד – קְנָאָן. וְכַמָּה? אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: אַמָּה. אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: וּכְנֶגֶד הַפֶּתַח.
Rav Dimi bar Yosef says that Rabbi Elazar says: One who finds palaces built on the property of a convert who died without heirs and plastered them with one application of plaster or tiled them with one tile, has acquired them. The Gemara asks: And how much, i.e., what is the minimum area that must be plastered or tiled? Rav Yosef said: A square cubit. Rav Ḥisda said: And he acquires it in this manner only if it was plastered or tiled opposite the entrance, where it can be easily seen.
אָמַר רַב עַמְרָם: הַאי מִילְּתָא אֲמַר לַן רַב שֵׁשֶׁת, וְאַנְהֲרִינְהוּ עַיְנִין מִמַּתְנִיתָא: הַמַּצִּיעַ מַצָּעוֹת בְּנִכְסֵי הַגֵּר – קָנָה. ״וְאַנְהֲרִינְהוּ עַיְנִין מִמַּתְנִיתָא״ – מַאי הִיא? דְּתַנְיָא: כֵּיצַד בַּחֲזָקָה? נָעַל לוֹ מִנְעָלוֹ, אוֹ הִתִּיר לוֹ מִנְעָלוֹ, אוֹ שֶׁהוֹלִיךְ כֵּלָיו אַחֲרָיו לְבֵית הַמֶּרְחָץ, וְהִפְשִׁיטוֹ, וְהִרְחִיצוֹ, סָכוֹ, גֵּרְדוֹ, וְהִלְבִּישׁוֹ, וְהִנְעִילוֹ, וְהִגְבִּיהוֹ – קְנָאוֹ. אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן: לֹא תְּהֵא חֲזָקָה גְּדוֹלָה מֵהַגְבָּהָה – שֶׁהַגְבָּהָה קוֹנָה בְּכׇל מָקוֹם.
Rav Amram said: Rav Sheshet said this statement to us, and he enlightened our eyes from a baraita that alludes to the same matter. He said: One who spreads out mattresses on the property of a convert who died without heirs has acquired it. And that which I said, that he enlightened our eyes from a baraita, what is it? As it is taught in a baraita (Tosefta, Kiddushin 1:5): How does one acquire a Canaanite slave through taking possession? If the slave placed one’s shoe for him, or untied his shoe for him, or if it occurred that he carried his garments after him to the bathhouse, or undresses him, or bathes him, or anoints him, or scrubs the oil off him, or dresses him, or puts on his shoes, or lifts him, one acquires the slave. Rabbi Shimon said: The acquisition generated by taking possession should not be considered greater than the acquisition generated by lifting, as lifting acquires property in any situation.
מַאי קָאָמַר? הָכִי קָאָמַר: הִגְבִּיהוֹ לְרַבּוֹ – קְנָאוֹ, הִגְבִּיהַּ רַבּוֹ לוֹ – לֹא קְנָאוֹ. אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן: לֹא תְּהֵא חֲזָקָה גְּדוֹלָה מֵהַגְבָּהָה – שֶׁהַגְבָּהָה קוֹנָה בְּכׇל מָקוֹם.
With regard to this last statement, the Gemara asks: What is Rabbi Shimon saying here, as the first tanna also said that a slave can be acquired by lifting? The Gemara explains: This is what he is saying: The first tanna holds that if he lifted his master, the master acquires him, as he is performing labor for the master, but if his master lifted him, the master does not acquire him, as the slave has not performed labor on his behalf. With regard to this halakha, Rabbi Shimon said: Acquisition generated through taking possession should not be greater than acquisition generated through lifting, as lifting acquires property in any situation. Consequently, one can acquire a slave even by lifting him.
אָמַר רַב יִרְמְיָה בִּירָאָה אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה: הַאי מַאן
Rav Yirmeya Bira’a says that Rav Yehuda says: With regard to this one
