Bava Basra 36b

בבא בתרא ל״ו ע״ב

Bava Batra 36b

Learn Bava Basra 36b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Bava Basra 36b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Does plowing count toward a חזקה on land, how do רב and שמואל measure a חזקה, and how does a חזקה work in an orchard?

Overview

The גמרא first shows that רבי ישמעאל and רבי עקיבא do not argue about plowing (ניר). Both agree plowing is not a חזקה. They argue about whether you need enough time for big crops or small crops. A ברייתא then shows that some Sages do count plowing, and רב חסדא identifies that view as רבי אחא. רב אשי reports that the great Sages of his generation agreed. רב נחמן explains both sides: an owner would not stay silent while others plow his land, or he is simply happy to get free plowing. רב נחמן בר רב חסדא answers the people of פום נהרא that plowing counts. רב נחמן בר יצחק objects that counting names proves nothing, since רב, שמואל, רבי ישמעאל and רבי עקיבא all say plowing does not count. The גמרא then shows where רב and שמואל say this, and אביי explains how they differ, using a young date palm that gives three crops a year. Finally, the גמרא turns to רבי ישמעאל's line about a grain field, and אביי learns from it that eating from ten different closely planted trees each year for three years is a חזקה even for the חכמים.

Opening lines

The steps (20)

1. RejectionIf plowing counted, even one day would do
2. ResolutionBoth agree plowing doesn't count; they argue about big versus small crops
3. StatementA ברייתא: plowing is a debated point
4. QuestionWho is 'some say'?
5. Responseרב חסדא: it is רבי אחא
6. ProofProof: רבי אחא counts years of plowing
7. Statementרב אשי: the great Sages said plowing counts
8. QuestionWhy would plowing count?
9. ResponseAn owner would not stay silent
10. QuestionWhy would plowing not count?
11. ResponseThe owner is happy to get free plowing
12. Questionפום נהרא asks for a ruling
13. ResponseRuling: plowing is a חזקה
14. ChallengeCounting great names proves nothing
15. ProofThe source showing רב holds plowing is not a חזקה
16. ProofThe source showing שמואל holds plowing is not a חזקה
17. QuestionHow do רב and שמואל differ?
18. Responseאביי: a young date palm that gives fruit three times a year
19. Statementרבי ישמעאל: the time rule is about a grain field
20. Statementאביי: eating from different trees each year still counts