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Bava Metzia 105a

בבא מציעא ק״ה ע״א

Learn Bava Metzia 105a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Bava Metzia 105a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Joint ventures and partners, a tenant's duties to the field, and measuring a 'pile' and inferior olives

Overview

The amud opens by finishing a rule: two ventures written in one שטר are counted together, which works against the manager. רבא then rules that a manager who quietly covered a loss cannot later ask the investor to share it. He also rules that when two partners run a venture together, one cannot force a split, even if he offers to keep sharing losses. Next, a משנה rules that a tenant farmer must weed the field. The גמרא explains that weed seeds already in the soil will keep growing after he leaves. A second משנה rules that a tenant must keep working a weak field if it yields enough for a pile. The גמרא then defines how big a pile is: a shovel buried in the grain, or a set amount of two or three סאה. The amud ends by explaining פריצי זיתים, 'wicked' olives that give little oil, and by measuring how little oil that means.

Opening lines

תְּרֵי עִיסְקֵי וְחַד שְׁטָרָא –

Two joint ventures and one document

פְּסֵידָא דְּלֹוֶה.

the loss is the borrower's.

וְאָמַר רָבָא:

And Rava said:

הַאי מַאן דְּקַבֵּיל עִיסְקָא מִן חַבְרֵיהּ

This one who receives a joint venture from his fellow

The steps (30)

  1. StatementTwo ventures written in one document
  2. StatementA manager who quietly covered a loss
  3. StatementOne partner wants to divide the profits and end the venture
  4. StatementAsking for just half the profit
  5. StatementAsking for half the profit and half the principal
  6. StatementEven promising to share losses does not force a split
  7. StatementA tenant may not refuse to weed the field
  8. StatementOffer one: I will plow out the weeds after harvest
  9. StatementOffer two: I will buy you wheat at the market
  10. StatementOffer three: I will weed only your share
  11. ChallengeBut the משנה gives a different reason
  12. ResolutionThe seed that fell has fallen
  13. StatementA field with a poor crop must still be harvested
  14. Statementרבי יהודה: the measure is the amount of seed sown
  15. StatementThe tenant's contract explains why he must keep working
  16. QuestionHow big is a pile?
  17. ResponseBig enough for a shovel to stand in
  18. QuestionWhat if the shovel sticks out both sides?
  19. ResponseThe blade must be fully covered
  20. StatementThree סאה or two סאה
  21. StatementTwo סאה left over after expenses
  22. StatementA new משנה about inferior olives and grapes
  23. QuestionWhat does 'inferior olives' mean?
  24. Responseרב הונא: they are 'wicked' olives
  25. Proofרב יוסף finds the word in a פסוק in דניאל
  26. Proofרב נחמן בר יצחק finds the word in a פסוק in יחזקאל
  27. QuestionHow little oil makes olives 'inferior'?
  28. ResponseTwo numbers: four קבין or two סאה per pressing
  29. ResolutionNot a real argument: it depends how much the press holds
  30. StatementOpening a new ברייתא