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Babylonian Talmud: Tractate Baba Mezi'aBut then, in the case in which R. Nahman said, We make him take 'an oath of inducement',1 — why do we not say that since he is suspected of fraud in money matters he must also be suspected of swearing falsely? Moreover, there is the case where R. Hiyya taught: Both of them swear, and receive payment from the employer,2 — why do we not say that since he is suspected of fraud in money matters he must also be suspected of swearing falsely? And furthermore, there is the case where R. Shesheth said: We make him3 take three oaths: 'I swear that I did not cause the loss wilfully; I swear that I did not use [the animal] for myself; I swear that it is not in my possession', — why do we not say that since he is suspected of fraud in money matters4 he must also be suspected of swearing falsely? Therefore [we must conclude] that we do not say, 'Since he is suspected of fraud in money matters he must also be suspected of swearing falsely.' Abaye says: We apprehend that he may be claiming the repayment of an old loan.5 But if so, let him take it without an oath?6 — Therefore say that we apprehend that he may be claiming the payment of a doubtful claim of an old loan. But do we not say that if he appropriates money on the strength of a doubtful claim he will also swear falsely in regard to a doubtful claim? — R. Shesheth, the son of R. Idi, said [in reply]: People will desist from taking an oath in regard to a doubtful claim, while they will not desist from appropriating money their right to which is doubtful. For what reason? — Money can be given back [later]; an oath cannot be taken back. R. Zera asked: If one of the litigants seized [the garment] in our presence,7 what is the law? But [it is immediately objected]: How could such a situation arise? If [the other litigant] remained silent, he really admitted [his opponent's claim]; and if he protested, what more could he do? — [R. Zera has in mind] a case where [the aggrieved litigant] was silent at first but protested later, and the question is: Do we say that since he was silent at first he really admitted [his opponent's claim], or [do we] perhaps [say] that, as he protests now, it has become apparent that the reason why he was silent at first is that he thought [it unnecessary to protest, because] the Rabbis [of the Court] saw [what happened]? — R. Nahman answered: Come and hear [a Baraitha]: The ruling [of our Mishnah] refers only to a case where both [litigants] hold [the garment], but if the garment is produced [in Court] by one of them only, then [we apply the principle that], 'the claimant must bring evidence to substantiate his claim.'8 Now, [let us consider:] how could the case [of one litigant producing the garment] arise? If we say that it was just as stated,9 then it is self-evident.10 It must therefore be that one of them seized [the garment] in our presence?11 — No. Here we deal with a case where both of them came before us holding [the garment], and we said to them, 'Go and divide it.' They went out, and when they came back one of them was holding it. One said, 'He really admitted [my claim],'12 and the other said, 'I let him have it on condition that he pays me for it.'13 Now we say to him: 'Hitherto you implied that he was a robber,14 and now you dispose of the garment to him without witnesses!' If you prefer, I could also say that [the Baraitha deals with a case where], as stated, one of them was holding it, and the other was just hanging on to it. In such a case [it is necessary to inform us that] even Symmachus, who maintains15 that disputed money of doubtful ownership should be divided among the disputants without an oath,16 would agree,17 for mere hanging on [to a disputed article] counts for nothing.18 If you deem it right to say that in the case of one [litigant] seizing it19 in our presence, we take it away from him,20 [it is clear that] if he dedicates it [to the Temple]21 the dedication does not take effect.22 But if you will say that in the case of one [litigant] seizing it in our presence we do not take it away from him, what would be the law if he dedicated it without seizing it? Seeing that a Master says [elsewhere],23 'Dedication to the Most High by word of mouth is like delivery in a secular transaction', [do we say that the dedication of the garment] is like seizing it, or [do we say], 'After all, he has not seized it,' and it is written: And if a man shall sanctify his house to be holy, etc.,24 [from which we might conclude that] just as his house is in his possession so must everything [that he may wish to dedicate] be in his possession — which would exclude this case [of the garment which he has not seized and] is not in his possession? — Come and hear [the following]: There was
Baba Mezi'a 6ba bath-house, about which two people had a dispute. One said, 'It is mine', and the other said 'It is mine'; then one of them rose up and dedicated it [to the Temple],1 [in consequence of which] R. Hananiah and R. Oshaia and the rest of the Rabbis kept away from it. R. Oshaia then said to Rabbah: When you go to Kafri2 to see R. Hisda ask him [for his opinion on this matter]. When [Rabbah] came to Sura [on his way to Kafri]3 R. Hamnuna said to him: This is [made clear in] a Mishnah:4 [As regards] doubtful first-born,5 whether a human first-born or an animal first-born, [and, as regards the latter,] whether of clean or unclean6 animals, [the principle holds good that] the claimant must bring evidence [to substantiate his claim].7 And in regard to this a Baraitha teaches: [Such animals] must not be shorn nor worked.8 Now, it is obviously assumed here that if a priest seizes the firstling we do not take it away from him, for it is laid down that [we must apply the principle that] the claimant must bring evidence [to substantiate his claim];9 and [thus] if the priest has not seized it, [the Baraitha teaches] that it must not be shorn or worked.10 But Rabbah answered him: You speak of the sanctity of a firstling — [this proves nothing]. I could well maintain that even if the priest has seized it we take it away from him, and still it would be forbidden to shear or to work [this animal], because the sanctity that comes of itself is different.11 R. Hananiah said to Rabbah: There is [a Baraitha]12 taught supporting your view:13 The [sheep with which the] doubtful [firstlings of asses have been redeemed] enter the stall to be tithed.14 Now, if the view were held that when the priest has seized [a doubtful firstling] we do not take it away from him, why [does the Baraitha teach that sheep with which doubtful firstlings of asses have been redeemed] enter the stall [to be tithed]? Would not the result be that this [Israelite, who owns the stall] would relieve himself of his liability [involved in the tithe] with the property of the priest, [who has a claim on it]?15 — Abaye answered him: There is really nothing in that [Baraitha] to support the Master [Rabbah], For it deals with a case where [the Israelite] has only nine sheep, and this [makes the tenth], so that in any case [the Israelite is justified]: if he is obliged [to tithe the sheep] he has tithed them rightly,16 but if he is not obliged [to tithe them because the tenth sheep is not really his], then [he has had no advantage, as he only owned nine sheep, and] nine are not subject to tithe.17 Later Abaye said: My objection is really groundless.18 For in [a case where the liability of an animal to be tithed is in] doubt, tithing does not take place,19 as we have learnt: If one of the sheep which were being counted [for the purpose of tithing] jumped back into the stall, the whole flock is free [from tithing].20 Now, if the view were held that doubtful cases are subject to tithe,21 [the owner] ought to tithe [the remaining sheep] in any case: if he is obliged [to tithe them]22 he will have tithed them rightly,23 but if he is not obliged to tithe them, those already counted will be free because they were properly numbered,24 for Raba said: Proper numbering frees [the sheep from being tithed]. - To Next Folio -
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