Bava Metzia 80b

בבא מציעא פ׳ ע״ב

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Topic

How much extra load makes one liable; the משנה on paid and unpaid guardians (craftsmen, guarding swaps, lenders); whether it fits רבי מאיר; and a borrower's liability after the loan period.

Overview

The amud opens in the middle of a question. A ברייתא about a donkey seems to contradict the rule that adding three קבין makes the renter liable, and אביי answers that the ברייתא is talking about leveled measures. A second ברייתא lists how much extra load is too much for a porter and for boats of several sizes. אביי, רבא and רב אשי each explain why a porter does not just throw off a load that is too heavy. רב פפא learns from the same ברייתא that an ordinary ship holds thirty כור, which matters for buying and selling. A new משנה then lists who counts as a שומר שכר and who counts as a שומר חנם: craftsmen, people who swap guarding, and lenders holding a משכון. The גמרא asks whether the craftsman ruling goes against רבי מאיר and tries several reasons to fit them together, and it also offers רבה בר אבוה's reversed version of the ברייתא. Finally רב חסדא limits a borrower's liability to the loan period, and רב נחמן בר פפא begins a challenge from our משנה that continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (25)

1. ChallengeA ברייתא seems to exempt an extra three קבין
2. Resolutionאביי: the ברייתא is talking about leveled measures
3. StatementA ברייתא: how much extra is too much for a porter and for boats
4. ChallengeWhy doesn't the porter just throw it off?
5. Resolutionאביי: the load knocked him down right away
6. Resolutionרבא: the rule is about extra pay
7. Resolutionרב אשי: he thought he was just feeling weak
8. Statementרב פפא: an ordinary ship holds thirty כור
9. QuestionWhat difference does a ship's size make?
10. ResponseIt matters for buying and selling
11. StatementCraftsmen are paid guardians until they say 'take it and pay'
12. StatementGuarding for each other versus 'put it in front of me'
13. StatementA lender holding collateral, and רבי יהודה's split
14. StatementRenting out a poor man's collateral
15. ChallengeDoes the משנה go against רבי מאיר?
16. ResolutionCraftsman gains by being chosen
17. ChallengeA renter is also chosen over everyone else
18. ResolutionA new reason: the craftsman is paid a little extra
19. ChallengeA renter also gets a little extra
20. ResolutionThe craftsman can hold the item until he is paid
21. ResolutionAnother answer: רבה בר אבוה's reversed version of the ברייתא
22. StatementQuoting the משנה: 'Take yours and bring money'
23. StatementA related משנה about a borrower who says 'send it'
24. StatementThe borrower is only liable if he returned the animal during the loan period
25. ChallengeA challenge from the line about 'take your item and bring money'