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Bava Metzia 30a

בבא מציעא ל׳ ע״א

Learn Bava Metzia 30a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Bava Metzia 30a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Caring for and using a found item (אבידה), and when one may leave a lost item alone

Overview

The גמרא first finishes a line from the previous page about workers with oxen, who can cause big losses. It then asks about the משנה's rule on airing out a found garment: what if spreading it helps both the garment and the finder's honor? Proofs from the משנה, from a ברייתא about guests, and from the calf of עגלה ערופה are each pushed aside. Along the way, רב פפא shows from how the word עֻבַּד is written and read that work disqualifies the animal only when the owner is pleased with it. Next, a ברייתא explains how a finder may use found vessels without damaging them, and says gold and glass may not be touched at all. The same rules apply to a פקדון whose owner went overseas. Finally, the גמרא learns from the word וְהִתְעַלַּמְתָּ that there are times one may leave a lost item, and starts asking which case that פסוק is really needed for. The answer continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

בְּתוֹרֵי דִּנְפִישׁ פְּסֵידַיְיהוּ.

With oxen, whose damage is great.

שׁוֹטְחָהּ לְצוֹרְכָּהּ

He spreads it out for its sake

אֲבָל לֹא לִכְבוֹדוֹ וְכוּ׳.

but not for his own honor, etc.

אִיבַּעְיָא לְהוּ:

A question was asked to them:

The steps (27)

  1. ResponseWorkers with oxen cause big losses
  2. QuestionWhat if spreading it helps both him and the garment?
  3. ProofProof from the first half of the משנה
  4. RejectionThe second half points the other way, so no proof
  5. ProofProof from a ברייתא about guests
  6. RejectionSpreading before guests actually harms the garment
  7. ProofA new proof from the calf placed in a yoke
  8. RejectionThe calf is different because of a special verse
  9. ChallengeThen even the first case should be unfit
  10. ResolutionThe calf case is like the red heifer case
  11. QuestionWhy the difference between the bird and the male?
  12. Responseרב פפא: the two ways the word could have been written
  13. ConclusionOnly work the owner is pleased with disqualifies
  14. StatementHow to use found wooden, copper and silver vessels and tools
  15. StatementGold and glass vessels may not be touched
  16. StatementThe same rules apply to a deposit
  17. QuestionWhy is the watchman handling the deposit at all?
  18. ResponseThe owner went overseas
  19. StatementThe משנה: an item beneath his dignity
  20. QuestionWhat is the source?
  21. ResponseSometimes you may ignore a lost item
  22. StatementThe three cases where you may ignore it
  23. QuestionWhich case needed the פסוק?
  24. RejectionThe כהן case is obvious for two reasons
  25. ResponseMaybe the verse teaches the case where his own loss is bigger
  26. RejectionNo, that rule comes from רב יהודה in the name of רב
  27. Proofרב יהודה's teaching begins with the פסוק 'אפס כי'