Bava Basra 27b

בבא בתרא כ״ז ע״ב

Bava Batra 27b

Learn Bava Basra 27b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Trees near a boundary: עולא's rule on ביכורים, the sixteen-cubit root zone, and how far overhanging branches must be cut over a neighbor's field or רשות הרבים.

Overview

The amud opens by finishing a challenge to עולא, who says a tree feeding from land that is not its owner's is exempt from ביכורים. The גמרא answers that the משנה about land of any size is talking about wheat. It then tests עולא against a ברייתא about a tree growing on the border of ארץ ישראל, and explains that ברייתא as a case where a rock splits the roots. אביי explains that roots spread far but only weaken the soil within sixteen cubits. Two reports disagree about what רבי יוחנן said of a tree near the boundary: either its owner is a גזלן, or he brings ביכורים because of the condition יהושע made. A new משנה teaches how much of a neighbor's overhanging tree may be cut, and the גמרא proves that אבא שאול is adding to the first clause. A second משנה covers trees over רשות הרבים. The גמרא discusses judging damage by the present, shows that the רבנן's camel-and-rider measure is higher than רבי יהודה's, and explains that רבי שמעון's concern is אהל הטומאה. The chapter לא יחפור then closes with the הדרן.

Opening lines

The steps (37)

1. ChallengeEnd of the challenge: tiny land also lets you acquire movables
2. ResolutionThe משנה is talking about wheat
3. ProofThe wording 'any size' supports the wheat answer
4. ChallengeA tree half in ארץ ישראל: רבי's view
5. Statementרבן שמעון בן גמליאל: each part follows its own land
6. StatementThe two opinions are only arguing about בררה
7. ChallengeA tree growing entirely outside is exempt by everyone, which challenges עולא
8. ResolutionThe ברייתא describes a tree whose roots are split by a rock
9. ChallengeIf the roots are separated, why does רבי call the fruit mixed?
10. ResolutionThe roots mix again higher up in the tree
11. QuestionSo what exactly are they arguing about now?
12. ResponseDoes the air mix the tree, or does each side stand alone?
13. ChallengeDo roots really stop at sixteen cubits?
14. ResolutionRoots travel far but only weaken the ground up to sixteen cubits
15. Questionריש לקיש asks about a tree within sixteen cubits of the boundary
16. ResponseThe owner is a robber and cannot bring בכורים
17. StatementA different report: he may bring and recite
18. StatementNew משנה: cutting a tree that leans into a neighbor's field
19. StatementCarob, sycamore and irrigated fields: cut everything over the line
20. Statementאבא שאול: all barren trees are cut along the line
21. QuestionWhich clause is אבא שאול talking about?
22. ResponseA ברייתא shows he is talking about the first clause
23. Proofרב אשי: the word 'every' in the משנה proves it too
24. StatementNew משנה: a tree leaning over the public road
25. Statementרבי יהודה: high enough for a loaded camel
26. Statementרבי שמעון: cut everything straight up, because of טומאה
27. QuestionWhich תנא judges damage only by the present?
28. Responseריש לקיש: it is רבי אליעזר's view
29. Responseרבי יוחנן: it can even fit the רבנן
30. QuestionWhose measure is higher, רבי יהודה's or the רבנן's?
31. ResponseThe רבנן's measure must be the higher one
32. ChallengeBut then how does רבי יהודה handle a rider?
33. ResolutionA rider can bend down
34. StatementA ברייתא explains רבי שמעון's reason as a tent of impurity
35. ChallengeWhy did the ברייתא need to say this?
36. ResolutionWithout the ברייתא we might blame only crows
37. ConclusionHadran — Closing the chapter לא יחפור