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Babylonian Talmud: Tractate Baba Bathraare corals. Some say Aronim, 'Armonim, Almogim. 'Arinim are ore,1 'Armonim are plane trees, Almogim are corals. nbsp;
MISHNAH. ONE WHO BUYS TWO TREES IN ANOTHER MAN'S FIELD DOES NOT ACQUIRE OWNERSHIP OF THE GROUND.2 R. MEIR SAYS: HE DOES ACQUIRE OWNERSHIP OF THE GROUND. [IF THE TREES] GREW LARGE [THE LANDOWNER] MUST NOT CUT DOWN THEIR BRANCHES.3 WHATEVER GROWS FROM THE STEM IS HIS [THE BUYER'S],4 AND [WHATEVER GROWS] FROM THE ROOTS [BELONGS] TO THE LANDOWNER.5 IF [THE TREES] DIED [THE BUYER] HAS NO [CLAIM TO THE] GROUND.6 ONE WHO BOUGHT THREE [TREES] HAS [IMPLICITLY] ACQUIRED [OWNERSHIP OF THE] GROUND.7 [IF] THEY GREW LARGE,8 [THE LANDOWNER] MAY CUT DOWN THEIR BRANCHES.9 WHATEVER GROWS FROM THE STEM AND FROM THE ROOTS [BELONGS] TO HIM [THE BUYER]. IF [THE TREES] DIED [THE BUYER] HAS [A RIGHT TO THE] POSSESSION OF THE GROUND.
GEMARA. We learnt elsewhere: He who buys two trees in another man's [field], has to bring [the bikkurim]10 but is not to recite [the declaration].11 R. Meir Says: He has to bring and recite.12 Rab Judah said in the name of Samuel: R. Meir subjects to the obligation13 even him who bought fruit in the market. Whence is this to be inferred? From [the fact that] a superfluous Mishnah14 has been introduced. For, it should be observed that, [R. Meir] has already taught15 that he [who bought two trees] has [also] acquired the ground. [Is it not, then,] obvious that he has to bring and to recite?16 Hence it may be inferred from this [superfluous Mishnah] that R. Meir subjects to the obligation even him who buys fruit in the market.17 But is it not written: Which thou shalt bring in from thy land?18 — This is to exclude [the fruit grown] in Foreign Territory.19 But is it not written: [The choicest first fruit of] thy land [thou shalt bring]?20 — [This is] to exclude the land of a heathen.21 But is it not written: The first fruits of [the land] which thou … hast given me? — [This means: The fruits] for which thou hast given me money with which to buy [them]. Raba raised an objection: [It has been taught]: He who buys a tree in another man's [field] brings [the first ripe fruit] but does not recite [the declaration], because he has not acquired ownership of the ground,22 [these are] the words of R. Meir.23 — This is, indeed, a refutation. R. Simeon b. Eliakim said to R. Eleazar:
Baba Bathra 81bWhat reason is there for R. Meir's opinion in [the case of] one tree, and for that of the Rabbis in [the case of] two trees?1 He replied: Do you interrogate me in the house of study on a matter about which the ancients gave no reason, in order to shame me? Rabbah said: What is the difficulty? It is possible that R. Meir was doubtful2 about one tree, and the Rabbis about two trees!3 But was [R. Meir] in doubt? Surely it is stated [distinctly]: 'Because he has not acquired ownership of the ground. [these are] the words of R. Meir! — This should read: 'Perhaps he has not acquired ownership of the ground!' But ought we not to apprehend lest these are not bikkurim4 and [consequently] one would bring into the Temple court unconsecrated [fruit]?5 — He consecrates them.6 But must not [the priest] eat them [the bikkurim]?7 — He redeems them.8 But perhaps they are not bikkurim and he thus excludes them from the heave-offering and tithe?9 — He does separate [the heave-offering and the tithes from] them. [In the case of] the terumah gedolah10 this is correct, [for] he gives it to the priest. The second tithe,11 also, he gives to a priest.12 The poor man's tithe,13 also, he gives to a poor priest,14 but to whom does he give the first tithe which belongs to the Levite? — He gives it to a priest in accordance with [the decision of] R. Eleazar b. Azariah. For it has been taught: terumah gedolah15 [belongs] to the priest; the first tithe [belongs] to the Levite; these are the words of R. Akiba. R. Eleazar b. Azariah says: The first tithe also [belongs] to the priest.16 But perhaps they are bikkurim and [consequently] require recital [of the declaration]?17 The recital is not indispensable. [Is it] not [indispensable]? Surely R. Zera said:18 Wherever [proper] mingling19 is possible the mingling is not indispensable;20 but where [proper] mingling is not possible21 the mingling is indispensable!22 — He acts on the lines of [the teaching of] R. Jose b. Hanina who said:23 He who cut [the first ripe fruit] and sent them [to Jerusalem] with a messenger; or [if the] messenger [cut them] and died on the way- [the owner] brings [the fruit] and does not recite [the declaration], for it is written: And thou shalt take24 … 'and thou shalt bring',25 - To Next Folio -
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