Bava Metzia 91b

בבא מציעא צ״א ע״ב

Learn Bava Metzia 91b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

The end of כלאים in animals, then when and what a hired worker may eat from the produce he works on, including whether he may eat from a different vine.

Overview

The amud opens by finishing the topic of כלאים in animals. A ברייתא shows that only mixing different species is forbidden, and that 'holding' an animal of the same species really means inserting, said politely. רב אשי tells how he forbade putting mixed animals in one pen for the house of the ריש גלותא, only because of their slaves. Then a new משנה teaches that a worker may eat even if he works with just his hands, feet or shoulder. רבי יוסי ברבי יהודה requires both hands and feet, learning from the threshing ox. Whether birds that thresh would count for him is left as תיקו. Another משנה limits the worker to the same kind of fruit, eaten during work, with extra allowances to save the owner's time. The גמרא then asks whether a worker on one vine may eat from another vine, and tries several proofs from the משנה, each pushed off. In the second version, the last rejection continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (29)

1. ProofA ברייתא explains why the פסוק says 'diverse kinds'
2. ProofInference: the same species is allowed
3. ChallengeMaybe only holding is allowed, not inserting
4. Rejection'Holding' is a polite word for inserting
5. QuestionPutting mixed animals together in one pen
6. Responseרב אשי forbade it because of the slaves
7. StatementNew משנה: a worker eats even if he works with only part of his body
8. Statementרבי יוסי ברבי יהודה: only with hands and feet
9. QuestionWhat is the source for the first opinion?
10. ResponseThe verse does not name a specific kind of work
11. QuestionWhat is the source for רבי יוסי ברבי יהודה?
12. ResponseThe worker is compared to the threshing ox
13. QuestionThreshing with geese and chickens
14. ConclusionThe question stays unresolved
15. StatementWhen winepress workers may drink wine
16. StatementA worker eats only the kind of fruit he works with
17. StatementEating only during work, with special allowances to save time
18. QuestionMay a worker on one vine eat from another vine?
19. ChallengeIf so, how can an ox ever eat from growing produce?
20. ResolutionThe ox can eat from a long branch
21. ProofA proof from the figs-and-grapes rule
22. RejectionThe case is a vine with long branches
23. ProofA proof from waiting for better fruit
24. RejectionWaiting is about not stopping work, so the question is narrowed
25. ProofQuoting the rule about eating while walking
26. ProofWalking counts as work, so it must be about a different vine
27. RejectionWalking is not counted as working
28. ProofSecond version: the same משנה proves he may eat from another vine
29. RejectionRejecting the second proof: he may not eat from another vine