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Bava Metzia 2a

בבא מציעא ב׳ ע״א

Learn Bava Metzia 2a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

The opening משנה of בבא מציעא (two people holding one item, split with a שבועה) and the גמרא's analysis of its double wording: 'I found it' and 'All of it is mine.'

Overview

This amud opens מסכת בבא מציעא with a משנה about two people who both grab the same object and each claim it. When both hold a טלית and each says all of it is his, each swears he owns at least half, and they split it. If one claims all and the other claims half, only the disputed half is split, so the shares are three-quarters and one-quarter. The same rule applies to an animal that both are riding, or that one rides and one leads. If they admit each other's claims or have עדים, they split it without a שבועה. The גמרא then asks why the משנה has each person say both 'I found it' and 'All of it is mine.' First it reads them as one combined claim, and learns from the extra words that seeing an object alone does not acquire it. When the repeated 'זה אומר' shows two separate statements, רב פפא explains that the first is about a found object and the second about a purchase. The גמרא then announces that both cases are needed, and the reason comes on the next amud.

Opening lines

שְׁנַיִם אוֹחֲזִין בְּטַלִּית,

Two people are holding a garment,

זֶה אוֹמֵר: ״אֲנִי מְצָאתִיהָ״,

this one says: "I found it,"

וְזֶה אוֹמֵר: ״אֲנִי מְצָאתִיהָ״.

and that one says: "I found it."

זֶה אוֹמֵר: ״כּוּלָּהּ שֶׁלִּי״,

This one says: "All of it is mine,"

The steps (15)

  1. StatementTwo people holding a garment, each claims all of it
  2. StatementOne claims all and the other claims half
  3. StatementTwo people on an animal, each claims all of it
  4. StatementWhen there is admission or witnesses, no oath is needed
  5. ChallengeWhy does the משנה repeat two claims?
  6. ResolutionIt is really one combined claim
  7. ChallengeWouldn't 'I found it' alone be enough?
  8. Resolution'All of it is mine' teaches that seeing does not acquire
  9. ChallengeBut 'found' means it came into his hands
  10. ResolutionThe משנה uses everyday speech
  11. ChallengeWhy not just say 'All of it is mine'?
  12. ResolutionBoth phrases are needed to teach that seeing does not acquire
  13. ChallengeThe משנה clearly gives two separate statements
  14. ResolutionFirst part is a found object, second part is a purchase
  15. StatementBoth cases are necessary