Bava Basra 19a

בבא בתרא י״ט ע״א

Bava Batra 19a

Learn Bava Basra 19a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Distancing damaging things from a neighbor's wall: launderers' ponds, plaster with lime, rocks versus sand, and seeds versus plowing

Overview

The עמוד opens with the last line of an earlier discussion about bees and a neighbor's mustard plants. Next comes the משנה's rule about a launderers' pond. רב נחמן says the three טפחים applies only to a soaking pond (מחמצן), while a washing pond (נדיין) needs four אמות. This is first proven from a ברייתא, then retold as a contradiction that his distinction resolves. The גמרא then asks whether the משנה says 'and plasters with lime' or 'or plasters with lime'. Two proofs are tried, and each one is pushed aside. Next the גמרא compares our משנה's list of heat-producing materials with a list in מסכת שבת and asks why one mentions rocks and the other sand. After answers from רב יוסף and אביי are rejected, רבא explains that rocks scratch pots and dry sand does not harm walls, and it is defended against a ברייתא about damp sand. Finally the גמרא explains why the משנה lists seeds, a plow and water separately, and begins a new question about seeds that continues on the next עמוד.

Opening lines

The steps (31)

1. ResolutionWhy bees don't really harm the mustard
2. StatementSoaking pond needs three handbreadths, washing pond needs four cubits
3. ProofA ברייתא supports רב נחמן
4. ChallengeSecond version: the משנה and ברייתא contradict each other
5. Resolutionרב נחמן resolves it with the two kinds of ponds
6. StatementThe משנה is read as saying 'soaking pond' outright
7. QuestionDoes the משנה say 'and plaster' or 'or plaster'?
8. ProofIt must be 'and plasters', or the cases would have been combined
9. RejectionThe cases may be separate because the damage is different
10. Proofרבי יהודה requires plaster only for crumbly rock
11. RejectionCrumbly rock is mentioned only to rule out a bigger distance
12. StatementOur משנה's list compared to the list in שבת
13. QuestionWhy rocks here and sand there?
14. Responseרב יוסף: people don't wrap pots in rocks
15. Challengeאביי: people don't usually wrap pots in fancy wool either
16. Resolutionאביי: each list hints at the other
17. Challengeרבא: then put the full list in one place
18. Resolutionרבא's own answer: rocks damage pots, sand doesn't damage walls
19. ChallengeA ברייתא does list sand
20. ResolutionThe ברייתא means damp sand
21. ChallengeThen our משנה should list damp sand too
22. ResolutionThe water channel already covers dampness
23. ChallengeBut the משנה lists two water cases anyway
24. ResolutionBoth water cases are needed, each for its own reason
25. ChallengeWhy mention seeds if the plow rule already covers them?
26. ResolutionSeeds can be planted without plowing
27. ChallengeWhy mention the plow if the seed rule already covers it?
28. ResolutionPlowing can be done for trees
29. ChallengeTrees need water, so the water rule should cover it
30. ResolutionIn ארץ ישראל, trees drink rainwater
31. QuestionOpening a new question about seeds