Bava Metzia 29b

בבא מציעא כ״ט ע״ב

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Topic

Using found money, caring for found scrolls, garments and vessels, borrowed and deposited Torah scrolls, and רבי יוחנן's practical advice

Overview

The גמרא finishes the earlier משנה by quoting רבה: a finder who is allowed to use the money must pay even if it is taken by armed bandits or lost in a shipwreck. It rules like רבי טרפון, but אביי shows that the permission covers only money a finder earned by caring for a lost object, so רחבה may not use orphans' money. A new משנה then explains how a finder looks after scrolls, garments and vessels, and when he need not pick up an item at all. שמואל rules that found תפילין may be valued and the money set aside, because new תפילין are easy to buy while scrolls are not. A ברייתא gives rules for a borrowed or deposited ספר תורה, and the גמרא explains each line, correcting the view of רבי אליעזר בן יעקב. Next come a contradiction about two people reading one scroll and four answers about whether shaking a garment helps it. The amud ends with practical advice from רבי יוחנן about lukewarm water and about habits that waste an inheritance. The explanation of the last habit continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (36)

1. ResolutionExplaining 'stolen' and 'lost' through רבה's definition
2. StatementThe הלכה follows רבי טרפון
3. Questionרחבה asks about using orphans' money
4. Responseרב יוסף permits it based on רבי טרפון
5. Challengeאביי: the permission only covers money the finder worked for
6. Conclusionרב יוסף withdraws his permission
7. StatementNew משנה: caring for found scrolls
8. StatementCaring for a found garment
9. StatementUsing found silver and copper vessels
10. StatementGold and glass vessels are left untouched
11. StatementItems beneath the finder's dignity
12. Statementשמואל: Found תפילין may be valued and the money set aside
13. Challengeרבינא's challenge from found scrolls
14. Resolutionתפילין are easy to replace, scrolls are not
15. StatementRules for borrowing a Torah scroll
16. StatementRules for a Torah scroll left for safekeeping
17. StatementHow often to roll a new or old scroll
18. ChallengeWhy mention a Torah scroll specifically
19. ResolutionWhy the ספר תורה case had to be stated
20. ChallengeIsn't it obvious that a borrower may read the scroll?
21. ResolutionThe real point is the limit on reading
22. ChallengeWhy may a guardian read the scroll at all?
23. ResolutionReading while rolling is allowed, opening just to read is not
24. Challengeרבי אליעזר בן יעקב seems to repeat the תנא קמא
25. ResolutionCorrecting רבי אליעזר בן יעקב to thirty days
26. ChallengeMay two people read one borrowed scroll together?
27. ResolutionSame passage versus different passages
28. ChallengeIs shaking out a garment good or bad for it?
29. ResolutionEvery day harms, once a month helps
30. ResolutionOne person versus two people shaking
31. ResolutionShaking by hand helps, shaking with a stick damages
32. ResolutionShaking helps wool but damages linen
33. StatementLukewarm water is worse than a witch's cup
34. StatementThree limits on the lukewarm water warning
35. StatementHow to waste a large inheritance
36. StatementWhich linen, which glass, and what not watching workers means