Bava Metzia 45a

בבא מציעא מ״ה ע״א

Learn Bava Metzia 45a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Is gold counted as money for redeeming מעשר שני and for loans? The גמרא looks at רבי יוחנן's view and at the argument between בית שמאי and בית הלל about swapping silver for gold.

Overview

The גמרא starts with רבי יוחנן's rule that one may not borrow a gold dinar and repay a gold dinar. It first tries to prove from this that רבי יוחנן holds gold cannot redeem מעשר שני according to בית שמאי. It rejects that proof: loans are different, because in business the Rabbis treat gold like merchandise. רבין then reports that רבי יוחנן himself allowed redeeming with gold. Next comes another version, an argument between רבי יוחנן and ריש לקיש. One says בית שמאי and בית הלל argue only about swapping silver סלעים for gold דינרים, based on the idea of 'first money and not second money.' The other says they argue even about redeeming produce onto gold. Two משניות about changing a סלע are used to challenge the first opinion. רבא pushes off the case in ירושלים, but the case outside ירושלים forces the גמרא to agree that everyone allows 'second money.' The גמרא then begins restating the argument with a new reason, a protective rule of בית שמאי, which continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (17)

1. StatementNo borrowing a dinar to repay a dinar
2. QuestionWhich kind of dinar?
3. ResponseIt must be a gold dinar
4. ProofAttempted proof: רבי יוחנן says gold cannot redeem מעשר שני
5. RejectionRejection: loans are a special case
6. ProofSupport from רבין: רבי יוחנן allows redeeming with gold
7. ProofProof from the משנה about changing a סלע
8. RejectionCopper coins are different because they spend easily
9. StatementFirst opinion: the dispute is only about swapping silver for gold
10. StatementSecond opinion: they argue even about redeeming produce onto gold
11. ChallengeWhy not argue about silver for silver?
12. ResolutionGold was chosen to teach a new point
13. ChallengeProof from changing a סלע in ירושלים
14. Resolutionרבא: ירושלים is different
15. ChallengeEven בית שמאי allow changing coins
16. ConclusionEveryone agrees even second money is allowed
17. StatementRewording the argument of רבי יוחנן and ריש לקיש