Bava Metzia 52b

בבא מציעא נ״ב ע״ב

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Topic

Worn coins: how much wear matters, what to do with an unusable coin, deadlines for returning one, and using it for מעשר שני

Overview

The גמרא continues discussing a worn-down סלע. Two sources seem to show that a coin worn beyond the measure of אונאה may still be used, and the גמרא pushes both off. It then settles a contradiction between two ברייתות about piercing a worn coin and hanging it on a child's neck: it is allowed if the hole is in the middle, and forbidden if the hole is at the side. Next the גמרא explains the משנה's deadlines for returning a worn coin in cities and in villages. אביי and רבא explain differently why a garment is treated differently. The twelve-month rule is explained by רב חסדא as מידת חסידות, and the grievance clause is read as being about an ordinary person who refuses. רב פפא learns that someone too fussy about coins that still circulate is a נפש רעה. Finally the גמרא clarifies חזקיה: a worn coin may redeem מעשר שני, but only at its real value. It then begins a challenge to חזקיה's rule about produce worth less than a פרוטה, which continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (25)

1. ProofTrying to prove that a coin worn beyond the measure of אונאה may still be sold
2. RejectionReading 'more than that' differently
3. ChallengeChallenge: a סלע may be kept even after losing half its value
4. ResolutionThe coin lost its value all at once in a fire
5. StatementQuoting the ruling: make a hole in the coin and hang it on a child's neck
6. ChallengeAnother ברייתא forbids hanging the coin on a child's neck
7. ResolutionIt depends where the hole is made: in the middle or at the side
8. StatementThe time limit for returning a worn coin
9. ChallengeWhy split cities and villages for a coin but not for a garment?
10. Resolutionאביי: the garment rule is only about cities
11. Resolutionרבא: everyone knows a garment's value, but only experts know a coin's
12. StatementA recognized coin may be returned even after a year
13. ChallengeTwelve months contradicts the short time limits
14. Resolutionרב חסדא: the twelve months is extra piety
15. ChallengeIf it is only piety, who has the grievance?
16. ResolutionThe grievance applies to an ordinary person, not a pious one
17. StatementThe eroded coin may be used to redeem מעשר שני
18. Statementרב פפא: being too fussy about coins is called miserly
19. ProofThe משנה supports חזקיה
20. QuestionWhat is חזקיה adding?
21. ResponseEven though it is exchanged at its true value, it redeems as a full coin
22. ChallengeDoes חזקיה really allow shortchanging מעשר שני?
23. ResolutionA valid coin, but counted at its real value
24. Statementחזקיה's rule about produce worth less than a פרוטה
25. ChallengeA challenge begins from תרומה and ביכורים