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Bava Kamma 98a

בבא קמא צ״ח ע״א

Learn Bava Kamma 98a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Bava Kamma 98a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Coin loans after a coin change, and רבה's rulings exempting damage that takes nothing away (coin in the sea, effaced coin, slit ear, burned שטר)

Overview

The amud opens by finishing a discussion about repaying a coin loan after the coin was changed. Repayment follows the real metal value, using the rate set by רב פפא and רב הונא בריה דרב יהושע: ten old coins for eight new ones. Then רבה gives a series of rulings where someone harms another person's property without really taking anything away, and each time he is פטור. Throwing a coin into the ים הגדול is exempt, because the coin is still there to pick up, but only in clear water and only if he never lifted it. Wiping the image off a coin by hammering it flat is exempt, but filing metal off makes him liable. Slitting the ear of someone's cow is exempt, since the cow keeps all its ordinary uses and most cattle never go on the מזבח anyway. רבא challenges each ruling, using sources about מעשר שני, a slave who is deafened, and work done with מי חטאת, and each challenge is answered. Finally רבה rules that burning someone's שטר is exempt, because he only burned paper, and רמי בר חמא begins an objection that continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

וְאִי מֵחֲמַת תַּרְעָא זִיל

And if it became cheaper because of the market

לָא מְנַכֵּינַן לֵיהּ.

we do not reduce it for him.

וְהָא קָא שָׁבַח לְעִנְיַן נְסָכָא!

But it has gained value as a bar of metal!

אֶלָּא כִּי הָא

Rather, like this case

The steps (19)

  1. StatementA market price drop does not reduce the debt
  2. ChallengeBut the new coin is worth more as metal
  3. ResolutionUse the exchange rate of רב פפא and רב הונא
  4. StatementThrowing a friend's coin into the sea is exempt
  5. QuestionWhy is he exempt?
  6. ResponseThe coin is right there; take it
  7. StatementOnly in clear water, not murky water
  8. StatementOnly if rolled in, not if picked up
  9. Challengeרבא challenges from the laws of מעשר שני
  10. Resolutionמעשר is different: it must be in your hand
  11. StatementRubbing smooth a friend's coin is exempt
  12. StatementLimit: hammering is exempt, filing is liable
  13. ChallengeChallenge from a slave who is deafened
  14. ResolutionDeafening always makes a real wound
  15. StatementSlitting a friend's cow's ear is exempt
  16. Challengeרבא challenges from work done with the red heifer and its water
  17. ResolutionSlitting is also exempt; the ברייתא teaches Heavenly liability
  18. StatementBurning another's promissory note is exempt
  19. Challengeרמי בר חמא asks what case רבה means