Bava Basra 162b

בבא בתרא קס״ב ע״ב

Bava Batra 162b

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Topic

Blank space between the text of a שטר and the signatures, and filling that gap with relatives' signatures

Overview

The גמרא asks about a blank gap of a line and a half between the text of a שטר and the עדים' signatures. It first tries to answer from a ברייתא, but the beginning and end of that ברייתא point in opposite directions, so it proves nothing. A different ברייתא settles it: only a full two-line gap makes the שטר פסול, and anything less is כשר. That ברייתא also teaches that if one of four or five signers turns out to be a קרוב or otherwise פסול, the שטר still stands through the other witnesses. The גמרא says this supports חזקיה, who rules that a gap filled in with relatives' signatures is כשר. חזקיה compares this to a סוכה: empty space in the roof disqualifies at three טפחים, but סכך פסול disqualifies only at four. The amud ends by opening a new question about how the two-line gap is measured, and that question continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (8)

1. QuestionWhat about a gap of a line and a half?
2. ProofTrying to prove it from the opening clause of the ברייתא
3. RejectionThe end of the same ברייתא implies the opposite
4. ResponseA different ברייתא settles it: less than two lines is כשר
5. StatementOne unfit witness among several does not ruin the שטר
6. ProofThe ברייתא supports חזקיה: a gap filled with relatives is valid
7. StatementDo not be surprised: the comparison to a סוכה roof
8. QuestionA new question about the two-line gap begins