Bava Basra 154a

בבא בתרא קנ״ד ע״א

Bava Batra 154a

Learn Bava Basra 154a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

What kind of proof the recipients of a gift must bring when the giver claims he was a שכיב מרע: witnesses about his health, or only קיום השטר

Overview

The משנה taught a dispute about a gift given in a שטר. The giver now says he was a שכיב מרע (deathly ill) when he gave it, while the recipients say he was healthy. רבי מאיר puts the burden of proof on the giver, and the רבנן put it on the recipients. The גמרא asks what kind of proof the recipients need. רב הונא says it means witnesses that the giver was healthy, which fits the earlier argument between רבי יעקב and רבי נתן. רב חסדא and רבה בר רב הונא say confirming the signatures (קיום השטר) is enough. In their view, the משנה argues about whether a שטר its writer admits writing still needs confirmation. The גמרא asks why this argument is needed when a similar one about witnesses already exists, and answers that both cases are needed. רבה agrees with the view requiring witnesses: since the deed's wording proves nothing either way, the property stays with its owner. רבי יוחנן and ריש לקיש have the same argument, and רבי יוחנן begins a challenge from a story in בני ברק that continues on the next עמוד.

Opening lines

The steps (14)

1. QuestionWhat kind of proof do the recipients need?
2. Responseרב הונא: The proof is through witnesses
3. Responseרב חסדא and רבה בר רב הונא: The proof is confirming the deed
4. StatementFor רב הונא, the dispute matches רבי יעקב and רבי נתן
5. StatementThe memory aid: who matches whom
6. StatementFor רב חסדא, the dispute is about a person who admits he wrote a deed
7. StatementEach side's position on a deed its writer admits
8. ChallengeDidn't they already argue about this?
9. ResolutionBoth arguments are needed
10. Statementרבה: the proof is by witnesses
11. Challengeאביי: the missing wording cuts both ways
12. Resolutionרבה answers: the document is silent, so the property stays with the owner
13. Statementרבי יוחנן and ריש לקיש argue about what proof means
14. Challengeרבי יוחנן challenges ריש לקיש with the story from בני ברק