Even though there is no agency for doing a transgression, there is an exception to the rule with slaughtering an animal that one stole and if the thief has an agent slaughter it, the thief will be liable to pay the four/five payment. To be liable for stealing, slaughtering/selling, the item must have been removed at some point from the original owner’s property as an act of acquiring must be performed. The Mishna discusses various cases regarding this issue. Can it be derived from our Mishna whether a shomer (a person asked to watch an item or renting/borrowing an item) assumes responsibility for the item when pulling it or just upon agreeing to watch it? What is the difference between a ganav and a gazlan? Why was the Torah stricter with a ganav? Why is the payment for a sheep (four times) less than the payment for an ox (five times)? One cannot raise small animals in Israel – why? Why is it permitted for large animals? What other kinds of animals is it forbidden to raise and in what particular situations?
Bava Kamma
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Bava Kamma
Masechet Bava Kamma is sponsored by the Futornick Family in loving memory of their fathers and grandfathers, Phillip Kaufman and David Futornick.
This week’s learning is sponsored by Robert and Paula Cohen in loving memory of Joseph Cohen, Yosef ben Moshe HaCohen, z”l. “He was hard working, loved to sing, esp. as a chazan, and was very dedicated to his family and community.”
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Bava Kamma 79
ΧΦΌΦΈΧ Φ·Χ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄Χ§Φ°ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ©Χ; ΧΦΌΦΈΧ Φ·Χ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄Χ§ΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ£; ΧΦΌΦΈΧ Φ·Χ ΧΦ°ΧΦΆΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ£; ΧΦΌΦΈΧ Φ·Χ ΧΦ°Χ ΦΈΧͺΦ·Χ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ·ΧͺΦΌΦΈΧ ΦΈΧ; ΧΦΌΦΈΧ Φ·Χ ΧΦΌΧ€ΦΈΧ¨Φ·Χ’ ΧΧΦΉΧΧΦΉ; ΧΦΌΦΈΧ Φ·Χ ΧΦΌΧ€ΦΈΧ¨Φ·Χ’ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΆΧ§ΦΌΦ΅ΧΧ€ΧΦΉ; ΧΦΌΦΈΧ Φ·Χ ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ Χ‘Φ΄ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ ΧΦΉΧͺ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΧͺ ΧΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ β ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΅Χ ΧͺΦΌΦ·Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ’ΦΈΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦ²ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧ.
The baraita continues: If he stole an animal and consecrated it, or if he stole an animal and sold it on credit, i.e., without receiving any money for it at the time, or if he stole an animal and exchanged it for another item, or if he stole an animal and gave it to another as a gift, or if he stole an animal and used it to repay his debt, or if he stole an animal and used it to pay for an item he purchased on credit, or if he stole an animal and sent it in the form of presents to his betrothed in his father-in-lawβs house, in all of these cases he pays the fourfold or fivefold payment, as these acts are all considered forms of selling. This concludes the baraita.
ΧΦ·ΧΧ Χ§ΦΈΧ ΧΦ·Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ’ ΧΦ·Χ? ΧΦ·Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦ°Χ’Φ΄ΧΧ Φ·Χ Χ¨Φ΅ΧΧ©ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦΈΧ Φ·Χ ΧΦ°Χ ΦΈΧͺΦ·Χ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦ΅Χ¨ ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ β ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΅Χ©Χ Χ©ΧΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧΦ· ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ’Φ²ΧΦ΅ΧΧ¨ΦΈΧ. ΧΦ·Χ£ Χ’Φ·Χ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΧΧ ΧΦ·ΧͺΦΌΧΦΉΧ¨ΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΧΦΌΧΦΌΦΈΧΦΌ ΧΦ΅ΧΧ Χ©ΧΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧΦ· ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ’Φ²ΧΦ΅ΧΧ¨ΦΈΧ, ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ΅Χ©Χ Χ©ΧΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧΦ· ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ’Φ²ΧΦ΅ΧΧ¨ΦΈΧ.
The Gemara asks: What is this baraita teaching us? All of the halakhot it states are obvious. The Gemara answers: The first clause teaches us, through the case of one who stole an animal and gave it to another and that person slaughtered or sold it on his behalf, that in this case there is agency for transgression. Even though in the entire Torah there is a principle that there is no agency for transgression, here there is agency for transgression. The Torahβs principle is that a transgression committed by an agent who was appointed by another person is not considered the act of the one who appointed the agent, but the independent act of the agent himself. The case discussed by this baraita is an exception to the rule, as here, the agentβs slaughter or sale of the animal is legally considered the action of the thief.
ΧΦ·ΧΧ ΧΦ·Χ’Φ°ΧΦΈΧ? Χ΄ΧΦΌΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΧΦΉΧ΄ ΧΦΌΧ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ¨ΧΦΉΧ΄; ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ¨ΦΈΧ β ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΆΧ€Φ°Χ©ΧΦΈΧ¨ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧΧ Χ’Φ·Χ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦ΅Χ¨, ΧΦ·Χ£ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΈΧ Χ’Φ·Χ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦ΅Χ¨ β ΧΦ΄ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΧ.
What is the reason that this case is an exception to the principle? It is because the verse states: βAnd slaughters it or sells itβ (Exodus 21:37), which juxtaposes the two acts of slaughtering and selling. This teaches that just as one becomes liable for selling, which by definition is impossible without another party, i.e., the buyer, so too one becomes liable for slaughtering even when it is by means of another party, i.e., when the thief instructs another person to slaughter the animal on his behalf.
ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦ°Χ’Φ΄ΧΧ Φ·Χ Χ‘Φ΅ΧΧ€ΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦΈΧ Φ·Χ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄Χ§Φ°ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ©Χ β ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ¨ΧΦΉ ΧΦ°ΧΦΆΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ, ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ¨ΧΦΉ ΧΦ·Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧΦ·ΧΦ΄Χ.
And the latter clause of the baraita teaches us a novelty in the case of one who stole an animal and consecrated it. The novelty is that this is considered a sale despite the fact that there is no purchaser. This is due to the following argument: What difference is it to me if he sold the animal to an ordinary person, and what difference is it to me if he sold it to Heaven by consecrating it? If the animal changes ownership, it is considered a sale, and it does not matter if the new owner is an ordinary person or the Temple treasury.
ΧΦ·ΧͺΦ°Χ Φ΄ΧΧ³ ΧΦΌΦΈΧ Φ·Χ ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ¨Φ°Χ©ΧΧΦΌΧͺ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°Χ’ΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ, ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ ΧΦΌΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΧΦΌΧ₯ ΧΦ΅Χ¨Φ°Χ©ΧΧΦΌΧͺΦΈΧ; ΧΧΦΉ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΈΧ Φ·Χ ΧΧΦΌΧ₯ ΧΦ΅Χ¨Φ°Χ©ΧΧΦΌΧͺΦΈΧ, ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ ΧΦΌΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ¨Φ°Χ©ΧΧΦΌΧͺΦΈΧ; ΧΧΦΉ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΈΧ Φ·Χ ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ ΧΦΌΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΧΦΌΧ₯ ΧΦ΅Χ¨Φ°Χ©ΧΧΦΌΧͺΦΈΧ β ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΅Χ ΧͺΦΌΦ·Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ’ΦΈΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦ²ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧ. ΧΦ²ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦΈΧ Φ·Χ ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ ΧΦΌΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ¨Φ°Χ©ΧΧΦΌΧͺΦΈΧ β Χ€ΦΌΦΈΧΧΦΌΧ¨.
MISHNA: If one stole an animal in its ownerβs domain, i.e., he took hold of it or established control over it but had not yet removed it from the ownerβs premises, and then he slaughtered it or sold it outside of the ownerβs domain; or if he stole an animal outside of the ownerβs domain and slaughtered it or sold it in the ownerβs domain; or if he stole an animal and slaughtered it or sold it, and all of this occurred outside the ownerβs domain, in all of these cases, he must pay the fourfold or fivefold payment. But if he stole it and slaughtered or sold it, and all of this occurred in the ownerβs domain, he is exempt from any of the fines for theft, as it is not considered theft until the stolen object is actually removed from the ownerβs premises.
ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ ΧΧΦΉΧ©ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ¦Φ΅Χ, ΧΦΌΧΦ΅Χͺ ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ¨Φ°Χ©ΧΧΦΌΧͺ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°Χ’ΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ β Χ€ΦΌΦΈΧΧΦΌΧ¨. ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΧΧΦΉ ΧΧΦΉ ΧΧΦΉΧ¦Φ΄ΧΧΧΦΉ ΧΦ΅Χ¨Φ°Χ©ΧΧΦΌΧͺ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ’ΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ, ΧΦΈΧΦ΅Χͺ β ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧΧ.
If the thief was in the process of leading the animal and leaving the ownerβs premises, and it died while it was still in the ownerβs domain, the thief is exempt from all fines. If he lifted it up or led it out of the ownerβs domain and then the animal died, he is liable for his theft. For an act to be considered theft, the thief must acquire the item by pulling it or moving it, which are ineffective forms of acquisition on the ownerβs premises; or by lifting it up, which is effective even when performed in the ownerβs domain.
Χ Φ°ΧͺΦΈΧ ΧΦΉ ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ¨ΧΦΉΧͺ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ ΧΦΉ ΧΧΦΉ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ’Φ·Χ ΧΧΦΉΧ, ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΧΦΉΧΦ΅Χ¨ ΧΦ΄Χ ΦΌΦΈΧ, ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΧΦΉΧΦ΅Χ, ΧΦ°Χ ΧΦΉΧ©ΧΦ΅Χ Χ©ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ¨ ΧΦΌΧΦ°Χ©ΧΧΦΉΧΦ΅Χ¨; ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ ΧΧΦΉΧ©ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉ, ΧΦΌΧΦ΅Χͺ ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ¨Φ°Χ©ΧΧΦΌΧͺ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°Χ’ΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ β Χ€ΦΌΦΈΧΧΦΌΧ¨. ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΧΧΦΉ ΧΧΦΉ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΧΦΉΧ¦Φ΄ΧΧΧΦΉ ΧΦ΅Χ¨Φ°Χ©ΧΧΦΌΧͺ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°Χ’ΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ, ΧΦΈΧΦ΅Χͺ β ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧΧ.
If the thief gave the animal as payment for the redemption of his firstborn son, or as payment to a creditor, or conveyed it for safeguarding to an unpaid bailee, or lent it to a borrower, or conveyed it for safeguarding to a paid bailee, or leased it to a renter, and he was leading out the animal and it died in the ownerβs domain, the thief is exempt from all fines. If that individual, following the thiefβs instructions, lifted up the animal or led it out of the ownerβs domain, and it subsequently died, the thief is liable for the theft. The thief is liable for instructing another to remove the animal for the purposes of payment of a debt, safekeeping, borrowing, or rental, as this is tantamount to the thief taking it with his own hands.
ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧ³ ΧΦΌΦΈΧ’Φ΅Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΅ΧΧΦΈΧ¨: ΧͺΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ§ΦΌΦ°Χ ΧΦΌ ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ©ΧΧΦΉΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧ, ΧΧΦΉ ΧΦΉΧ?
GEMARA: Ameimar raises a dilemma: Did the Sages institute the requirement of pulling or leading an animal with regard to bailees, or not? When an animal or other item is purchased, the parties to the sale are not bound by the deal until the purchaser performs an act of acquisition, one of which is pulling the animal or leading it along. Did the Sages institute an ordinance that the same applies to bailees? In other words, does the baileeβs obligation to safeguard the animal or item begin as soon as he consents to watch it, or only after he has taken the animal and moved it even minimally?
ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·Χ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦ·Χ¨, ΧͺΦΌΦΈΧ Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ’: Χ Φ°ΧͺΦΈΧ ΧΦΉ ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ¨ΧΦΉΧͺ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ ΧΦΉ ΧΧΦΉ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ’Φ·Χ ΧΧΦΉΧΧΦΉ, ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΧΦΉΧΦ΅Χ¨ ΧΦ΄Χ ΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΧΦ°Χ©ΧΧΦΉΧΦ΅Χ, ΧΦ°Χ ΧΦΉΧ©ΧΦ΅Χ Χ©ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ¨ ΧΦΌΧΦ°Χ©ΧΧΦΉΧΦ΅Χ¨; ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ ΧΧΦΉΧ©ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ¦Φ΅Χ, ΧΦΌΧΦ΅Χͺ ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ¨Φ°Χ©ΧΧΦΌΧͺ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°Χ’ΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ β Χ€ΦΌΦΈΧΧΦΌΧ¨. ΧΦ·ΧΧ, ΧΦΈΧΧ Χ©ΧΧΦΉΧΦ΅Χ¨ β ΧΦΌΧ©ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ’ ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΦΌΦ·ΧΦΌ ΧͺΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ§ΦΌΦ°Χ ΧΦΌ ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ©ΧΧΦΉΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧ?
Rav Yeimar said: Come and hear a proof from the mishna: If the thief gave the animal as payment for the redemption of his firstborn son, or as payment to a creditor, or conveyed it for safeguarding to an unpaid bailee, or lent it to a borrower, or conveyed it for safeguarding to a paid bailee, or rented it to a renter, and he was leading out the animal and it died in the ownerβs domain, the thief is exempt from payment. What, is it not talking about the bailee leading out the animal, when it states that the thief is exempt? And if so, conclude from this mishna that the Sages instituted the requirement of pulling with regard to bailees. If the baileeβs obligation begins immediately upon his consent to watch over the item, it would be considered stolen by the thief at that stage, even before the bailee moves it.
ΧΦ²ΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ: ΧΦΈΧ, ΧΦΌΦ·Χ ΦΌΦΈΧ.
Ameimar said to Rav Yeimar: No, this is not necessarily the correct interpretation of the mishna. The mishna may mean that the owner gave the animal to his creditor or to a bailee, and subsequently a thief came to steal it from the house of the creditor or the bailee, and it was the thief who was leading the animal out of those premises when it died.
ΧΦΈΧ ΧͺΦΌΦ°Χ ΦΈΧ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ Χ¨Φ΅ΧΧ©ΧΦΈΧ! ΧͺΦΌΦ°Χ ΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ ΦΌΦΈΧ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΈΧ Φ·Χ ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ΅ΧΧͺ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°Χ’ΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ, ΧΦΌΧͺΦ°Χ ΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ ΦΌΦΈΧ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΈΧ Φ·Χ ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ΅ΧΧͺ Χ©ΧΧΦΉΧΦ΅Χ¨.
Rav Yeimar asked: How can that clause of the mishna refer to an animal that died as the thief was leading it out? The mishna already taught this halakha in the first clause. Ameimar answered: Nevertheless, it is possible that the mishna taught this halakha concerning a thief who stole an animal from its ownerβs house, and then taught it again with regard to a thief who stole an animal from a baileeβs house.
ΧΦ²ΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ Χ¨Φ·Χ ΧΦΈΧ©ΧΦ΅Χ: ΧΦΈΧ ΧͺΦΌΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦ²ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ; ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ ΦΌΦΈΧ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΈΧ Φ·Χ ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ΅ΧΧͺ Χ©ΧΧΦΉΧΦ΅Χ¨, ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ ΦΌΦΈΧ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΈΧ Φ·Χ ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ΅ΧΧͺ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ’ΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ?
Rav Ashi said to Ameimar: Do not reject Rav Yeimarβs argument by means of this alternative interpretation of the mishna. It is not reasonable to assert that the mishna taught this halakha twice, as what difference is it to me if the thief stole it from the baileeβs house and what difference is it to me if the thief stole it from the ownerβs house? There is no halakhic distinction between these two cases. Therefore, the mishna would not have discussed both of them.
ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧΧ Χ©ΧΧΦΉΧΦ΅Χ¨ β ΧΦΌΧ©ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ’ ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΦΌΦ·ΧΦΌ ΧͺΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ§ΦΌΦ°Χ ΧΦΌ ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ©ΧΧΦΉΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧ? Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ’ ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΦΌΦ·ΧΦΌ. ΧΦ΄ΧΧͺΦΌΦ°ΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ ΦΈΧΦ΅Χ, ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦΆΧΦ°Χ’ΦΈΧΦΈΧ¨: ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΆΧ¨ΦΆΧΦ° Χ©ΧΦΆΧͺΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ§ΦΌΦ°Χ ΧΦΌ ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧ§ΧΦΉΧΧΦΉΧͺ, ΧΦΌΦΈΧΦ° ΧͺΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ§ΦΌΦ°Χ ΧΦΌ ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ©ΧΧΦΉΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧ.
Rather, is it not more reasonable to say that the mishna should be interpreted as meaning that the bailee was leading the animal out of the ownerβs house at the behest of the thief, as Rav Yeimar claimed? And therefore, one should conclude from the mishna that the Sages instituted the requirement of pulling with regard to bailees. The Gemara affirms: Conclude from the mishna that they did. It was also stated explicitly that Rabbi Elazar says: Just as the Sages instituted the requirement of pulling with regard to purchasers, so too they instituted the requirement of pulling with regard to bailees.
ΧͺΦΌΦ·Χ Φ°ΧΦΈΧ Χ ΦΈΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦΈΧΦ΄Χ: ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΆΧ¨ΦΆΧΦ° Χ©ΧΦΆΧͺΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ§ΦΌΦ°Χ ΧΦΌ ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧ§ΧΦΉΧΧΦΉΧͺ, ΧΦΌΦΈΧΦ° ΧͺΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ§ΦΌΦ°Χ ΧΦΌ ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ©ΧΧΦΉΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧ. ΧΦΌΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦ΅Χ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦ·Χ§ΦΌΦ·Χ¨Φ°Χ§Φ·Χ’ Χ Φ΄Χ§Φ°Χ Φ΅ΧΧͺ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΆΧ‘ΦΆΧ£, ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ¨ ΧΦΌΧΦ·ΧΦ²ΧΦΈΧ§ΦΈΧ, ΧΦΌΦΈΧΦ° Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ¨ΧΦΌΧͺ Χ Φ΄Χ§Φ°Χ Φ΅ΧΧͺ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΆΧ‘ΦΆΧ£, ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ¨ ΧΦΌΧΦ·ΧΦ²ΧΦΈΧ§ΦΈΧ.
This is also taught in a baraita: Just as the Sages instituted the requirement of pulling with regard to purchasers, so too they instituted the requirement of pulling with regard to bailees. And just as land is acquired by the payment of money, by the writing of a deed of sale, or by the purchaser taking possession of the land through working it, so too a rental deal is finalized by the payment of money, by the writing of a deed of rent, or by the renter taking possession of the land. This concludes the baraita.
Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ¨ΧΦΌΧͺ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΧ? ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΈΧ
The Gemara asks: When the baraita speaks of rental, it is referring to rental of what kind of property? If we say
Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ¨ΧΦΌΧͺ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ, ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ Φ΅Χ Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ¨ΦΈΧ Χ Φ΄ΧΧ Φ°ΧΧΦΌ?! ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·Χ ΧΦ΄Χ‘Φ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ: Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ¨ΧΦΌΧͺ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ§Φ·Χ¨Φ°Χ§Φ·Χ’.
it is speaking of the rental of movable property, is movable property subject to the writing of a deed? Rather, Rav αΈ€isda said: It is referring to the rental of land.
ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦΆΧΦ°Χ’ΦΈΧΦΈΧ¨: Χ¨ΦΈΧΧΦΌΧΧΦΌ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦΈΧΧΦΉΧ¨ΦΈΧ©ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ ΧΦΌΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ β ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΅Χ ΧͺΦΌΦ·Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ’ΦΈΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦ²ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧ. ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΧ? ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦΈΧ©ΧΦ·ΧΦ°! ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·Χ ΧΦ΄Χ‘Φ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ: Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ©ΧΦΈΧΦΌ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ·Χ§ΦΌΦ΅Χ.
Β§ Rabbi Elazar says: If people saw a thief who was hiding in the woods near a herd of grazing animals, and that individual emerged and slaughtered or sold one of the animals from the herd, he pays the fourfold or fivefold payment. The Gemara asks: Why is the thief liable to the fourfold or fivefold payment? But he did not pull the animal. Rabbi Elazar is apparently describing a case where the thief emerged from the forest and slaughtered one of the animals without first moving it, and there is no fourfold or fivefold payment unless the thief first steals the animal. Rav αΈ€isda says: This is referring to a case where he hit the animal with a stick, causing it to move.
ΧΦΈΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄Χ: ΧΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ¨ΦΈΧΧΦΌΧΧΦΌ, ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΧΦΌΧ! ΧΦΌΦ΅ΧΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ§ΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦΌΦ·Χ¨Χ ΧΦ΄Χ ΦΌΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΧΧΦΌ, ΧΦΌΦ·Χ ΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΧΦΌΧ.
With regard to Rabbi Elazarβs statement, the Sages say: But since people saw him doing all this, he is a robber, not a thief, and the fourfold or fivefold payment applies only to thieves. A thief is one who sneaks into a house or other private property; one who commits his act brazenly, in public, is classified as a robber. The Gemara answers: Since he was hiding from them, he is considered a thief, despite the fact that they saw him.
ΧΦ°ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦΌΦΈΧΦ΅Χ? ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦ²ΧΦΈΧΧΦΌ: ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ ΦΈΧΦΈΧΧΦΌ ΧΦΌΦΆΧ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ’, Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΦΌΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨: Χ΄ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦΆΧͺ ΧΦ·ΧΦ²Χ Φ΄ΧΧͺ ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ·Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ¦Φ°Χ¨Φ΄Χ, ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦ²Χ Φ΄ΧΧͺΧΦΉΧ΄.
The Gemara asks: But if so, what are the circumstances of a robber? Rabbi Abbahu said: Robbers are like the case of Benaiah ben Jehoiada, as it is stated concerning him: βHe slew an Egyptian, a goodly man; and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and he robbed the spear out of the Egyptianβs hand, and slew him with his own spearβ (II Samuel 23:21).
Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΧΦΉΧΦΈΧ ΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨: ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ’Φ²ΧΦ΅Χ Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦΆΧ, Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΦΌΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨: Χ΄ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧ©ΧΦ΄ΧΧΧΦΌ ΧΧΦΉ ΧΦ·Χ’Φ²ΧΦ΅Χ Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦΆΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ¨Φ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ Χ’Φ·Χ Χ¨ΦΈΧΧ©ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦΆΧΦΈΧ¨Φ΄ΧΧ, ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌ [ΧΦ΅Χͺ] ΧΦΌΧΧ ΧΦ²Χ©ΧΦΆΧ¨ ΧΦ·Χ’Φ²ΧΦΉΧ¨ Χ’Φ²ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΆΧ ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧ¨ΦΆΧΦ°Χ΄.
Rabbi YoαΈ₯anan said: A different example of a robber is a case like that of the men of Shechem, as it is stated: βAnd the men of Shechem set ambushers for him on the tops of the mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by themβ (Judges 9:25).
ΧΦ°Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦ²ΧΦΈΧΧΦΌ β ΧΦ·ΧΧ ΧΦ·Χ’Φ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ΅ΧΦ·ΧΧ? ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦΈΧΦ°: ΧΦΌΦ΅ΧΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°Χ¨Φ΄Χ ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦΌΧΦΉΧ¨Φ΅Χ, ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ Φ΅Χ Χ Φ΄ΧΧ Φ°ΧΧΦΌ. ΧΦ°Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΧΦΉΧΦΈΧ ΦΈΧ β ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ§ΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°Χ¨Φ΄Χ, ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧ Χ Φ΄ΧΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ Φ°ΧΧΦΌ ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΦΈΧ©ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ°Χ Φ΄ΧΧ’Φ°Χ¨Φ°Χ§ΧΦΌ ΧΦ΄Χ ΦΌΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΧΧΦΌ.
The Gemara asks: And what is the reason that Rabbi Abbahu did not say the example from this verse, which discusses the men of Shechem? He could have said to you: Since the men of Shechem were hiding in ambush, they are not considered robbers but thieves. And how would Rabbi YoαΈ₯anan respond to this claim? This fact that they were hiding was not because they were hesitant to steal in view of the public. Rather, they acted in this manner so that the travelers should not see them in advance and flee from them.
Χ©ΧΦΈΧΦ²ΧΧΦΌ ΧͺΦΌΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΈΧΧ ΧΦΆΧͺ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΧΦΉΧΦΈΧ ΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦΆΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΧ: ΧΦ΄Χ€ΦΌΦ°Χ Φ΅Χ ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΆΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ¨ΦΈΧ ΧͺΦΌΧΦΉΧ¨ΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ·Χ ΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΧΦΉΧͺΦ΅Χ¨ ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ? ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦΈΧΦΆΧ: ΧΦΆΧ β ΧΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ Χ’ΦΆΧΦΆΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ Χ§ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦΉ, ΧΦ°ΧΦΆΧ β ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ Χ’ΦΆΧΦΆΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ Χ§ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦΉ.
Β§ The Gemara concludes its discussion of theft with several aggadic statements. His students asked Rabban YoαΈ₯anan ben Zakkai: For what reason was the Torah stricter with a thief than with a robber? Only a thief is required to pay the double, fourfold, or fivefold payment, not a robber. Rabban YoαΈ₯anan ben Zakkai said to them in response: This one, the robber, equated the honor of the servant to the honor of his Master, and that one, the thief, did not equate the honor of the servant to the honor of his Master. The robber fears neither God nor people, as he is not afraid to rob in public. The thief does not fear God but he does fear other people, which demonstrates that he is more concerned about humans than God.
ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΧΦΉΧ Χ’ΦΈΧ©ΧΦΈΧ Χ’Φ·ΧΦ΄Χ Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΌΧΦΌ ΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΦΈΧΦΌ Χ¨ΧΦΉΧΦΈΧ, ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧΦΆΧ Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΌΧΦΌ ΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΦΈΧΦΌ Χ©ΧΧΦΉΧΦ·Χ’Φ·Χͺ, Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΦΌΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨: Χ΄ΧΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ·Χ’Φ²ΧΦ΄ΧΧ§Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ΅ΧΧ³ ΧΦ·Χ‘Φ°ΧͺΦΌΦ΄Χ¨ Χ’Φ΅Χ¦ΦΈΧ, ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦΈΧΦ° ΧΦ·Χ’Φ²Χ©ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΆΧ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ³Χ΄; ΧΦΌΧΦ°ΧͺΦ΄ΧΧ: Χ΄ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΉΧΧΦ°Χ¨ΧΦΌ ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ΄Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΆΧ ΧΦΌΦΈΧΦΌ ΧΦ°ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ±ΧΦΉΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ·Χ’Φ²Χ§ΦΉΧΧ΄; ΧΦΌΧΦ°ΧͺΦ΄ΧΧ: Χ΄ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ [ΧΦΈΧΦ°Χ¨ΧΦΌ] Χ’ΦΈΧΦ·Χ ΧΧ³ ΧΦΆΧͺ ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ¨ΦΆΧ₯, ΧΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΧ³ Χ¨ΦΉΧΦΆΧΧ΄.
As it were, the thief establishes the eye below, i.e., Godβs eye, as though it does not see, and the ear below, i.e., Godβs ear, as though it does not hear. The Gemara cites verses that describe people who imagine that God does not see their actions, as it is stated: βWoe to them who seek deeply to hide their counsel from the Lord, and their works are in the dark, and they say: Who sees us, and who knows us?β (Isaiah 29:15). And it is written: βAnd they say: The Lord will not see, neither will the God of Jacob give heedβ (Psalms 94:7). And it is written: βFor they say: The Lord has forsaken the land, and the Lord does not seeβ (Ezekiel 9:9).
ΧͺΦΌΦ·Χ Φ°ΧΦΈΧ, ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦ΅ΧΦ΄ΧΧ¨: ΧΦΈΧ©ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌ ΧΦΈΧ©ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΧΦΌΧ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦ΅Χ, ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧΦΈΧ¨ ΧΦΌΧΦΉΧΦΆΧ? ΧΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°Χ Φ΅Χ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ Φ΅Χ ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΈΧΧΦΌ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ’Φ΄ΧΧ¨ ΧΦ°Χ’ΦΈΧ©ΧΧΦΌ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°ΧͺΦΌΦΆΧ, ΧΦΆΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΌΦ΅Χ ΧΦΆΧͺ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ Φ΅Χ ΧΦΈΧ’Φ΄ΧΧ¨ ΧΦ°ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΌΦ΅Χ ΧΦΆΧͺ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ Φ΅Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΆΧΦΆΧΦ°, ΧΦ°ΧΦΆΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΌΦ΅Χ ΧΦΆΧͺ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ Φ΅Χ ΧΦΈΧ’Φ΄ΧΧ¨ ΧΦ°ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΌΦ΅Χ ΧΦΆΧͺ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ Φ΅Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΆΧΦΆΧΦ°. ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΆΧ ΧΦ΅ΧΦΆΧ Χ’ΧΦΉΧ Φ°Χ©ΧΧΦΉ ΧΦ°Χ¨ΧΦΌΧΦΌΦΆΧ? ΧΦ±ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΧΦΉΧΦ΅Χ¨: ΧΦΆΧ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΧΦΌΦ΅Χ ΧΦΆΧͺ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ Φ΅Χ ΧΦΈΧ’Φ΄ΧΧ¨ ΧΦ°ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΌΦ΅Χ ΧΦΆΧͺ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ Φ΅Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΆΧΦΆΧΦ°.
It is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Meir said: To illustrate the severity of a thief over a robber, as per Rabban YoαΈ₯anan ben Zakkaiβs explanation, they stated a parable in the name of Rabban Gamliel. To what is this matter comparable? To two people who were living in the same city, and both of them prepared a feast. One of them invited the people of the city to his feast but he did not invite the kingβs sons. And the other did not invite the people of the city and also did not invite the kingβs sons. Which of them deserves a greater punishment? You must say that it is this one who invited the people of the city but did not invite the kingβs sons. Likewise, both the thief and the robber show disdain for God, but the robber does not display more respect for people.
ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦ΅ΧΦ΄ΧΧ¨: ΧΦΌΦΉΧ ΧΦΌΧ¨Φ°ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦΈΧΧΦΉΧ ΧΦΌΦΉΧΦ· Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΧΦΈΧ: Χ©ΧΧΦΉΧ¨, Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΧΦΌΦ°ΧΧΦΉ ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΧΦ°ΧͺΦΌΧΦΉ β ΧΦ²ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧ; Χ©ΧΦΆΧ, Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΉΧ ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΧΦΌΦ°ΧΧΦΉ ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΧΦ°ΧͺΦΌΧΦΉ β ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ’ΦΈΧ.
The Gemara discusses why there is a fourfold payment for a sheep but a fivefold payment for an ox. Rabbi Meir said: Come and see how great the power of labor is. The theft of an ox, which was forced by the thief to cease its labor, leads to a fivefold payment; whereas the theft of a sheep, which was not forced by the thief to cease its labor, as a sheep performs no labor, leads to only a fourfold payment.
ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΧΦΉΧΦΈΧ ΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦΆΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΧ, ΧΦΌΦΉΧ ΧΦΌΧ¨Φ°ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦΈΧΧΦΉΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°Χ¨Φ΄ΧΦΌΧΦΉΧͺ: Χ©ΧΧΦΉΧ¨, Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΈΧΦ·ΧΦ° ΧΦΌΦ°Χ¨Φ·ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΧ β ΧΦ²ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧ; Χ©ΧΦΆΧ, Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦ΄Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΧΧΦΉ Χ’Φ·Χ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧͺΦ΅ΧΧ€ΧΦΉ β ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ’ΦΈΧ.
Rabban YoαΈ₯anan ben Zakkai said: Come and see how great human dignity is. The theft of an ox, which walked on its own legs as the thief stole it, leads to a fivefold payment, whereas the theft of a sheep, which the thief carried on his shoulder as he walked, thereby causing himself embarrassment, leads to only a fourfold payment.
ΧΦ·ΧͺΦ°Χ Φ΄ΧΧ³ ΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ§ΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΆΧ¨ΦΆΧ₯ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°Χ¨ΦΈΧΦ΅Χ; ΧΦ²ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ‘ΧΦΌΧ¨Φ°ΧΦΈΧ, ΧΦΌΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ¨ΧΦΉΧͺ Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΧΦΆΧ¨ΦΆΧ₯ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°Χ¨ΦΈΧΦ΅Χ.
MISHNA: One may not raise small domesticated animals, i.e., sheep and goats, in settled areas of Eretz Yisrael, as they graze on peopleβs crops. But one may raise them in Syria, despite the fact that with regard to many other halakhot Syria is treated like Eretz Yisrael, and in the wilderness of Eretz Yisrael.
ΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧͺΦΌΦ·Χ¨Φ°Χ Φ°ΧΧΦΉΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ¨ΧΦΌΧ©ΧΦΈΧΦ·ΧΦ΄Χ, ΧΦ΄Χ€ΦΌΦ°Χ Φ΅Χ ΧΦ·Χ§ΦΌΦ³ΧΦΈΧ©ΧΦ΄ΧΧ; ΧΦ°ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦΌΦΉΧΦ²Χ Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΆΧ¨ΦΆΧ₯ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°Χ¨ΦΈΧΦ΅Χ, ΧΦ΄Χ€ΦΌΦ°Χ Φ΅Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧ¨ΧΦΉΧͺ.
One may not raise chickens in Jerusalem, due to the sacrificial meat that is common there. There is a concern that chickens will pick up garbage that imparts ritual impurity and bring it into contact with sacrificial meat, thereby rendering it ritually impure. And priests may not raise chickens anywhere in Eretz Yisrael, because of the many foods in a priestβs possession that must be kept ritually pure, e.g., teruma.
ΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ²ΧΦ΄ΧΧ¨Φ΄ΧΧ β ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΧΧ ΧΦΈΧ§ΧΦΉΧ. ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΅Χ ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΆΧͺ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΆΧΦΆΧ, ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦΌΦ΅Χ ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ Χ§ΦΈΧ©ΧΧΦΌΧ¨ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ©ΧΦ·ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΆΧͺ. ΧΦ΅ΧΧ Χ€ΦΌΧΦΉΧ¨Φ°Χ‘Φ΄ΧΧ Χ Φ΄ΧΧ©ΦΌΧΧΦΌΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ Φ΄ΧΧ, ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦΌΦ΅Χ ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ Χ¨ΦΈΧΧΦΉΧ§ ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΧΦΌΧ Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦΉΧ©ΧΦ΄ΧΧ Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧ‘.
Furthermore, one may not raise pigs anywhere, and a person may not raise a dog unless it is tied with chains. One may spread out traps [nishovim] for pigeons only if this was performed at a distance of at least thirty ris, which is 8,000 cubits, from any settled area, to ensure that privately owned pigeons are not caught in the traps.
ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧ³ ΧͺΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧ Φ·Χ: ΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ§ΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΆΧ¨ΦΆΧ₯ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°Χ¨ΦΈΧΦ΅Χ, ΧΦ²ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦΈΧΧΦΉΧ¨ΦΈΧ©ΧΦ΄ΧΧ Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΧΦΆΧ¨ΦΆΧ₯ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°Χ¨ΦΈΧΦ΅Χ. ΧΦΌΦ°Χ‘ΧΦΌΧ¨Φ°ΧΦΈΧ β ΧΦ²Χ€Φ΄ΧΧΦΌΧΦΌ ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΧΦΌΧ, ΧΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΧ Χ¦ΦΈΧ¨Φ΄ΧΧΦ° ΧΧΦΉΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧ¦ΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ¨ΦΆΧ₯.
GEMARA: The Sages taught in a baraita: One may not raise small domesticated animals, i.e., sheep and goats, in settled areas of Eretz Yisrael. But one may raise them in the forests of Eretz Yisrael. In Syria, it is permitted to do so even in a settled area. And, needless to say, it is permitted to do so outside of Eretz Yisrael.
ΧͺΦΌΦ·Χ Φ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦ°: ΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ§ΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΆΧ¨ΦΆΧ₯ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°Χ¨ΦΈΧΦ΅Χ; ΧΦ²ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ¨ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΧΧΦΌΧΦΈΧ, ΧΦΌΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ¨ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦ΄Χ‘Φ°Χ€Φ·Χ¨ Χ’Φ·ΧΦΌΧΦΉ. ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ£ Χ’Φ·Χ Χ€ΦΌΦ΄Χ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΈΧΦ°Χ¨ΧΦΌ ΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ§ΦΌΦΈΧ, ΧΦ²ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ‘ΦΌΦΈΧ; ΧΦ°Χ€Φ΄Χ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦΌΧΦΉΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΅Χ¨ΦΈΧ Χ’Φ·Χ ΧΦ·Χ¦ΦΌΦ΄ΧΦΌΧΦΌΧ¨ ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦΌΦ΅Χ Χ¨ΧΦΉΧ Χ¦Φ΄ΧΦΌΧΦΌΧ¨ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ·Χ’Φ²ΧΧΦΉΧ ΧΦΌΦΈΧΦΌ.
It is taught in another baraita: One may not raise small domesticated animals in settled areas of Eretz Yisrael. But one may raise them in the wilderness that is in Judea and in the wilderness that is on the border near Akko. And even though the Sages said that one may not raise small domesticated animals, nevertheless, one may raise large, domesticated animals, i.e., cattle, because the Sages issue a decree upon the public only if a majority of the public is able to abide by it.
ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ§ΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΆΧ€Φ°Χ©ΧΦΈΧ¨ ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌΧ¦ΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ¨ΦΆΧ₯, ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ‘ΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦΆΧ€Φ°Χ©ΧΦΈΧ¨ ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌΧ¦ΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ¨ΦΆΧ₯.
This difference is that it is possible for someone to bring small domesticated animals from outside of Eretz Yisrael in the event that they are needed. But it is not possible for someone to bring large, domesticated animals from outside of Eretz Yisrael whenever he needs one, since there is a constant need for them as beasts of burden. Therefore, the Sages did not issue a decree with regard to these types of animals.
ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ£ Χ’Φ·Χ Χ€ΦΌΦ΄Χ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΈΧΦ°Χ¨ΧΦΌ ΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ§ΦΌΦΈΧ β ΧΦ²ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦ·ΧΦΈΧΦΌ ΧΧΦΌΧ Χ§ΧΦΉΧΦΆΧ ΧΦΈΧ¨ΦΆΧΦΆΧ Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦΉΧ©ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΧΦΉΧ, ΧΦ°Χ§ΧΦΉΧΦΆΧ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°ΧͺΦΌΦ΅Χ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ ΧΦΉ Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦΉΧ©ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΧΦΉΧ. ΧΦΌΧΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΉΧ ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦ·ΧΦΆΧ ΧΦΆΧͺ ΧΦΈΧΦ·ΧΦ²Χ¨ΧΦΉΧ ΦΈΧ Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦΉΧ©ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΧΦΉΧ.
The baraita continues: And even though they said that one may not raise small domesticated animals, however, one may keep these animals on his premises for thirty days before a pilgrimage Festival, and thirty days before the wedding feast of oneβs son, when many animals are needed for food, provided that he does not leave the last one, i.e., the animal which he purchased immediately before the Festival, for thirty days.
ΧΦΌΦ°Χ‘ΦΈΧΦ°Χ§ΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ’Φ°ΧͺΦΌΦΈΧΦ° ΧΦΈΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄Χ Χ Φ°Χ€Φ·Χ§ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ Χ¨ΦΆΧΦΆΧ, ΧΦΌΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦ°Χ Φ·ΧΦΌ Χ’Φ·Χ ΧΦ·Χ©ΧΦ°ΧͺΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ·ΧͺΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ ΧͺΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧͺΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΧΦΉΧΦ΄ΧΧ; ΧΦΈΧ Χ Φ΅ΧΧΦΈΧ ΧͺΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧͺΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°Χ¨ΦΈΧ Χ©ΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΅Χ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦ·ΧΧΦΉΧΦ΅Χ, ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ΅ΧΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ Φ°Χ€Φ·Χ§ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ Χ¨ΦΆΧΦΆΧ β ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ°Χ’Φ΅Χ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦ·ΧΧΦΉΧΦ΅Χ.
The Gemara clarifies the final line of the baraita: The baraita needs to state this ruling as it might enter your mind to say that if the pilgrimage Festival has passed and thirty days have not yet elapsed from the time when he bought the animal until now, he may keep the animal until thirty days have elapsed. To counter this, the baraita teaches that we do not say: It is permitted to keep it for a total of thirty days. Rather, once the pilgrimage Festival has passed, he should not keep it any longer.






















