Bava Basra 12a

בבא בתרא י״ב ע״א

Bava Batra 12a

Learn Bava Basra 12a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Sealed doorways, public rights of way, minimum sizes for dividing shared property, and נבואה remaining with the חכמים

Overview

The amud opens by finishing a ברייתא about sealed doorways. As long as the doorframe stands, the doorway still counts, both for the ארבע אמות in front of a house and for where טומאה goes out. Once the frame is broken out, the doorway is gone. Next, רבי יוחנן and שמואל teach that the public keeps its right to pass through alleyways it already uses. This holds even when another road exists, and it covers the whole alley, not just the first four אמות. The גמרא then returns to the משנה's minimum sizes for dividing shared property: a field, a cistern, an orchard, and a vineyard. For each of these it also gives the local measure used in בבל. רבי יוסי's remark that סומכוס's measure is 'words of prophecy' opens a discussion about נבואה. The discussion teaches that after the חורבן, נבואה stayed with the חכמים, and that a חכם is greater than a נביא. אביי brings a proof for this, רבא rejects it, and רבא begins his own proof, which continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (28)

1. StatementA sealed house keeps its four cubits unless the doorframe is broken
2. StatementThe same idea with a sealed grave and טומאה
3. StatementThe same rule for a house with a dead body inside
4. StatementResidents may not block alleyways that lead to another city
5. StatementThis applies even when there is another road
6. ProofThe reason: a public path may not be ruined
7. Proofרב גידל: what the public chose stays chosen
8. StatementThe public can stop alley residents from putting up doors
9. ProofSome thought the rule covers only the first four cubits
10. RejectionRejection: crowds can push deep into the alley
11. StatementBack to the משנה: the minimum size for dividing a field
12. ResolutionThey do not really argue: each followed his own place
13. QuestionWhat is the size in בבל?
14. Responseרב יוסף: a day's plowing
15. ChallengeWhich day of plowing is meant?
16. ResolutionTwo ways to make the plowing measure work
17. StatementMinimum share for splitting a cistern
18. StatementMinimum share for splitting an orchard
19. ProofA ברייתא supports three קבין for a vineyard
20. QuestionWhat is the orchard measure in בבל?
21. ResponseIn בבל: three rows of twelve vines
22. StatementProphecy moved from the prophets to the Sages
23. ChallengeIsn't a Sage also a prophet?
24. ResolutionProphecy stayed with the Sages
25. StatementA Sage is greater than a prophet
26. Proofאביי's proof: two great men reach the same ruling
27. Rejectionרבא: maybe they share the same מזל
28. Proofרבא begins his own proof