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Bava Kamma

Daf 93b

INTRO

And the Lord spoke unto Moses, saying: If anyone sin, and commits a trespass against the Lord, and he defrauds his counterpart with regard to a deposit, or with regard to a pledge, or with regard to a robbery, or if he exploited his counterpart; or he has found that which was lost, and deal falsely with it, and swears to a lie; in any of all these that a man does, sinning therein. Then it shall be, if he has sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took by robbery, or the thing that he has gotten by oppression, or the deposit that was deposited with him, or the lost thing that he found. Or anything about which he has sworn falsely, he shall restore it in full, and shall add the fifth part more to it; unto him to whom it appertains shall he give it, in the day of his being guilty. And he shall bring his forfeit unto the Lord, a ram without blemish out of the flock, according to the valuation, for a guilt-offering, unto the priest. And the priest shall make atonement for him before the Lord, and he shall be forgiven, concerning whatsoever he does so as to be guilty thereby. (Leviticus 5:20–26)

And the Lord spoke unto Moses, saying: Speak unto the children of Israel: When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to commit a trespass against the Lord, and that soul be guilty. Then they shall confess their sin that they have done; and he shall make restitution for his guilt in full, and add unto it the fifth part thereof, and give it unto him in respect of whom he has been guilty. But if the man have no kinsman to whom restitution may be made for the guilt, the restitution for guilt that is made shall be the Lord’s, even the priest’s; besides the ram of the atonement, whereby atonement shall be made for him. (Numbers 5:5–7)

In order to fulfill the obligation detailed in these verses in its most straightforward manner, a robber must return the actual item stolen to the robbery victim. If a stolen item has remained in the possession of the robber for an extended period of time, many practical questions arise: What should the halakha be if the stolen item underwent a significant change? Does the robber consequently acquire the stolen item and become liable to pay monetary restitution? What type of change in the item is deemed significant? Additionally, is it sufficient for the robber to return the stolen item, or must the robber also reimburse the robbery victim for his use of the stolen item during the time it was in his possession? What is the halakha in a case where the stolen item did not undergo any physical change, but something has happened to reduce or eliminate its value in a manner that is not evident, e.g., a change in the legal or halakhic status of the stolen item? A related topic is the case of a professional craftsman: What is the halakha if he damages or ruins an item that was given to him for the purpose of his work, e.g., an item given to him for repair, or raw material given to him to craft an object? What happens if a craftsman produces a product that is not according to the agreement he entered into with the owner? Is he considered a type of a robber, who acquires the item or materials given to him, in which case he must reimburse the owner with money? Or does the owner retain what he originally owned, while the craftsman must pay compensation calculated in some other manner? In addition to the monetary obligation that a robber must pay restitution to the robbery victim, there is also a requirement that he atone for committing the sin of robbery. The Gemara discusses a robber who compounded his sin by taking a false oath that he did not in fact commit the robbery, and the means by which he can achieve atonement. He must return the principal value of the stolen item, pay an additional one-fifth penalty, and bring a guilt-offering, known as the guilt-offering for robbery. In this chapter, the Gemara discusses the circumstances in which the robber must pay the additional one-fifth. Is the additional one-fifth payment for the act of robbery or for the act of taking a false oath? What differences in halakha are there between the requirement to pay back the principal and the requirement to pay the additional one-fifth payment? The Torah discusses the case of one who robs a convert, and the convert then dies without heirs. In this case, the robber pays restitution to the priests, then brings his guilt-offering. The Gemara discusses details of this case: When does the obligation to pay the additional one-fifth payment take effect? What is the halakha of one who brings his guilt-offering before paying restitution? To which priests does he pay restitution? This chapter aims to clarify all of these halakhot relating to the return of a stolen item.

מתני׳ הַגּוֹזֵל עֵצִים וַעֲשָׂאָן כֵּלִים, צֶמֶר וַעֲשָׂאָן בְּגָדִים – מְשַׁלֵּם כִּשְׁעַת הַגְּזֵלָה.

In the case of one who robs another of wood and fashions it into vessels, or one who robs another of wool and fashions it into garments, he pays the robbery victim according to the value of the goods at the time of the robbery, but he need not return the vessels or garments. He has acquired the stolen items because they had undergone a change.

גָּזַל פָּרָה מְעוּבֶּרֶת וְיָלְדָה, רָחֵל טְעוּנָה וּגְזָזָהּ – מְשַׁלֵּם דְּמֵי פָרָה הָעוֹמֶדֶת לֵילֵד, וּדְמֵי רָחֵל הָעוֹמֶדֶת לִיגָּזֵז.

If one robbed another of a pregnant cow and it then gave birth while in his possession, or if one robbed another of a ewe that was laden with wool and the robber then sheared it, the robber pays the value of a cow that is ready to give birth or the value of a ewe that is ready to be shorn. He pays the value of the animal at the time of the robbery, and the calf or the wool remains his.

גָּזַל פָּרָה וְנִתְעַבְּרָה אֶצְלוֹ וְיָלְדָה, רָחֵל וְנִטְעֲנָה אֶצְלוֹ וּגְזָזָהּ – מְשַׁלֵּם כִּשְׁעַת הַגְּזֵלָה. זֶה הַכְּלָל: כָּל הַגַּזְלָנִים מְשַׁלְּמִין כִּשְׁעַת הַגְּזֵלָה.

If one robbed another of a cow, and it became pregnant in his possession, and it then gave birth; or if one robbed another of a ewe, and it became laden with wool in his possession, and he then sheared it, then the robber pays according to the value of the animal at the time of the robbery. This is the principle: All robbers pay according to the value of the stolen item at the time of the robbery.

גמ׳ אָמְרִי: עֵצִים וַעֲשָׂאָן כֵּלִים – אִין, שִׁיפָּן – לָא. צֶמֶר וַעֲשָׂאָן בְּגָדִים – אִין, לִיבְּנָן – לָא.

The Sages say: It can be inferred from the mishna that if one robbed another of wood and fashioned it into vessels, yes, the robber acquires the wood due to the change. If he merely sanded it, no, the robber does not acquire it, as this is not a significant change. Similarly, if one robbed another of wool and fashioned it into garments, yes, he has acquired the wool due to the change. If he merely washed it, no, he has not acquired it.

וּרְמִינְהִי: גָּזַל עֵצִים וְשִׁיפָּן, אֲבָנִים וְסִיתְּתָן, צֶמֶר וְלִיבְּנָן, פִּשְׁתָּן וְנִקָּהוּ – מְשַׁלֵּם כִּשְׁעַת הַגְּזֵלָה!

And the Gemara raises a contradiction from a baraita: If one robbed another of wood and sanded it, or stones and smoothed them, or wool and washed it, or flax and cleaned it, he pays according to the value of the stolen item at the time of the robbery. This baraita teaches that even a change such as sanding wood is regarded as a significant change.

אֲמַר אַבַּיֵי: תַּנָּא דִּידָן קָתָנֵי שִׁינּוּי דְּרַבָּנַן דְּהָדְרָא, וְכָל שֶׁכֵּן שִׁינּוּי דְּאוֹרַיְיתָא.

Abaye said: This does not contradict the mishna. The tanna of our mishna teaches the halakha with regard to a change deemed significant by rabbinic law, which is not deemed significant by Torah law, as it is reversible. And all the more so, if the robber effects a change deemed significant by Torah law, i.e., an irreversible change, he acquires the stolen item due to the change.

עֵצִים וַעֲשָׂאָן כֵּלִים – בְּעֵצִים מְשׁוּפִּין, וּמַאי נִינְהוּ? נְסָרִים, דְּשִׁינּוּי דַּהֲדַר לִבְרִיָּיתָא הוּא, דְּאִי בָּעֵי מְשַׁלֵיף לְהוּ. צֶמֶר וַעֲשָׂאָן בְּגָדִים – בְּצֶמֶר טָווּי, דְּשִׁינּוּי דְּהָדַר לִבְרִיָּיתָא הוּא, דְּאִי בָּעֵי סָתַר לֵיהּ, וְכָל שֶׁכֵּן שִׁינּוּי דְּאוֹרַיְיתָא.

The Gemara explains: Accordingly, it must be that the case in the mishna, where the change is reversible, where one robbed another of wood and fashioned it into vessels, is stated with regard to one who robbed another of sanded wood. And what are they? Boards that the robber used to construct a vessel, which is a change in which the item can revert to its original state, as, if the robber desires, he can disassemble them. Similarly, the case of one who robbed another of wool and fashioned it into garments refers to wool that was already spun, as fashioning them into garments is a change in which the item can revert to its original state, as, if the robber desires, he can unravel them. The mishna teaches that the robber acquires the stolen item by making these changes, and all the more so the robber acquires the stolen item through a change deemed significant by Torah law.

וְתַנָּא בָּרָא, שִׁינּוּי דְּאוֹרַיְיתָא קָתָנֵי, וְשִׁינּוּי דְּרַבָּנַן לָא קָתָנֵי.

Abaye continues his explanation: And the tanna of the baraita teaches the halakha with regard to a change deemed significant by Torah law, but he does not teach the halakha with regard to a change deemed significant by rabbinic law. It is possible that he maintains that the robber does not acquire the stolen item due to such a change.

רַב אַשִׁי אֲמַר: תַּנָּא דִּידָן נַמִי שִׁינּוּי דְּאוֹרַיְיתָא קָתָנֵי; עֵצִים וַעֲשָׂאָן כֵּלִים – בּוּכָאנֵי, דְּהַיְינוּ שִׁיפָּן. צֶמֶר וַעֲשָׂאָן בְּגָדִים – נַמְטֵי, דְּהַיְינוּ שִׁינּוּי דְּלָא הָדַר.

Rav Ashi stated another answer: The tanna of our mishna is also teaching the halakha with regard to a change deemed significant by Torah law. The case in the mishna of one who robbed another of wood and fashioned it into vessels is referring to one who constructed pestles [bukhanei], which is analogous to the case mentioned in the baraita where one sanded them, since a pestle is formed by trimming the wood in an irreversible manner. Similarly, the case in the mishna of one who robbed another of wool and fashioned it into garments is referring to one who fashioned the wool into pieces of felt [namtei], which is an irreversible change.

וְלִיבּוּן מִי הָוֵי שִׁינּוּי? וּרְמִינְהִי: לֹא הִסְפִּיק לִיתְּנוֹ לוֹ עַד שֶׁצְּבָעוֹ – פָּטוּר, לִבְּנוֹ וְלֹא צְבָעוֹ – חַיָּיב!

The Gemara asks a question with regard to the baraita: But does washing effect a significant change, so that one who robs another of wool and washes it acquires the wool and pays its value at the time of robbery? And the Gemara raises a contradiction from a mishna that discusses the halakhot of the first of the sheared wool, which one must give to a priest (Ḥullin 135a): If the owner of the sheep did not manage to give the sheared wool to the priest before he dyed it, he is exempt from giving it to the priest, as the obligation is in effect only with regard to wool remaining in its original state. By contrast, if he washed it but did not dye it, he is obligated to give it to the priest. This indicates that washing does not effect a significant change.

אֲמַר אַבַּיֵי, לָא קַשְׁיָא: הָא רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן, הָא רַבָּנַן. דְּתַנְיָא: גְּזָזוֹ, טְוָואוֹ וַאֲרָגוֹ – אֵין מִצְטָרֵף, לִבְּנוֹ – רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן אוֹמֵר: אֵין מִצְטָרֵף, וַחֲכָמִים אוֹמְרִים: מִצְטָרֵף.

Abaye said: It is not difficult. This baraita is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Shimon, whereas that mishna is in accordance with the opinion of the Rabbis, as it is taught in a baraita with regard to the first of the sheared wool: If one sheared it, spun it, and wove it, the sheared wool does not combine with the wool from other sheep to constitute the minimum quantity of wool for which one is obligated to give the first of the sheared wool to the priest. If one washed it, then Rabbi Shimon says that it does not combine with the wool of other sheep, as washing effects a significant change, and the Rabbis say that it combines with the wool of other sheep, as washing does not effect a significant change. Their opinions correspond to the opinions in the baraita and mishna previously quoted.

רָבָא אֲמַר: הָא וְהָא רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן, וְלָא קַשְׁיָא: הָא דְּנַפְּצֵיהּ נַפּוּצֵי, הָא דְּסַרְקֵיהּ סַרוּקֵי.

Rava stated another answer: This and that, i.e., both the mishna and the baraita, are in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Shimon, and it is not difficult. This mishna is referring to a case where one untangled the strands of wool by hand before washing it. In this case, the washing is not fully effective, and does not effect a significant change. That baraita is referring to a case where one combed it before washing it. The washing is more effective and consequently effects a significant change.

רַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אָבִין אֲמַר: הָא דְּחַוְּורֵיהּ חַוּוּרֵי, הָא דְּכַבְרֵיהּ כַּבְרוּיֵי.

Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Avin stated another answer: This mishna is referring to a case where one merely whitened it, which is not a significant change. That baraita is referring to a case where one bleached it with sulfur, which is a significant change.

הָשְׁתָּא יֵשׁ לוֹמַר צֶבַע לְרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן לָא הָוֵי שִׁינּוּי, לִיבּוּן הָוֵי שִׁינּוּי? דְּתַנְיָא: גָּזַז רִאשׁוֹן רִאשׁוֹן וּצְבָעוֹ, רִאשׁוֹן רִאשׁוֹן וּטְוָואוֹ, רִאשׁוֹן רִאשׁוֹן וַאֲרָגוֹ – אֵין מִצְטָרֵף. רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן: צְבָעוֹ – מִצְטָרֵף!

Having demonstrated that, according to Rabbi Shimon, washing effects a significant change, the Gemara asks: Now that it can be said that, according to Rabbi Shimon, dye does not effect a significant change, as the Gemara will prove, can it be said that washing effects a significant change? As it is taught in a baraita: If he sheared sheep one by one and dyed the wool of each sheep before shearing the next sheep, or sheared them one by one and spun the wool, or sheared them one by one and wove the wool, then the wool sheared from the different sheep does not combine to constitute the minimum quantity of wool for which one is obligated to give the first of the sheared wool to the priest. Rabbi Shimon ben Yehuda says in the name of Rabbi Shimon: Even if he dyed it, it combines with the other wool. This indicates that, according to Rabbi Shimon, even dyeing the wool is not a significant change, so how could he maintain that washing it is?

אֲמַר אַבַּיֵי, לָא קַשְׁיָא: הָא רַבָּנַן אַלִּיבָּא דְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן, הָא רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יְהוּדָה אַלִּיבָּא דְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן.

Abaye said: This is not difficult. This statement, that washed wool does not combine with other wool, is the opinion of the Rabbis in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Shimon, while that statement, that even dyed wool combines with other wool, is the opinion of Rabbi Shimon ben Yehuda in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Shimon. There is a dispute as to what Rabbi Shimon rules with regard to this issue.

רָבָא אֲמַר: לְעוֹלָם לָא פְּלִיגִי רַבָּנַן עֲלֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יְהוּדָה, וְשָׁאנֵי צֶבַע, הוֹאִיל וְיָכוֹל לְהַעֲבִירוֹ עַל יְדֵי צָפוֹן, וְכִי קָתָנֵי הָתָם: לֹא הִסְפִּיק לִיתְּנוֹ לוֹ עַד שֶׁצְּבָעוֹ – פָּטוּר, וְאוֹקִימְנָא כְּדִבְרֵי הַכֹּל – בְּקָלָא אִילָן, דְּלָא עָבַר.

Rava said: Actually, the Rabbis do not disagree with Rabbi Shimon ben Yehuda, and they are also of the opinion that Rabbi Shimon holds that washing effects a significant change. And as for the apparent contradiction, dye is different and it does not effect a significant change, since one is able to remove it with soap [tzafon] and return the wool to its previous state. And when it is taught there, in the mishna cited above, that if one did not manage to give the sheared wool to the priest before he dyed it he is exempt, and this ruling was established in accordance with all opinions, it was not stated with regard to ordinary dye but with regard to indigo, which cannot be removed with soap and therefore effects a permanent and therefore significant change.

אֲמַר אַבַּיֵי: רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יְהוּדָה וּבֵית שַׁמַּאי וְרַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בֶּן יַעֲקֹב וְרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר וְרַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל, כּוּלְּהוּ סְבִירָא לְהוּ: שִׁינּוּי בִּמְקוֹמוֹ עוֹמֵד. רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יְהוּדָה, הָא דַּאֲמָרַן.

§ Abaye said: Rabbi Shimon ben Yehuda, and Beit Shammai, and Rabbi Eliezer ben Ya’akov, and Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar, and Rabbi Yishmael all hold that despite a change, the changed item remains in its place, i.e., the changed item is still considered to have the status it had before the change. The Gemara proceeds to prove that each of these tanna’im holds this way: The opinion of Rabbi Shimon ben Yehuda is that which we just said. He says that, according to Rabbi Shimon, even if the wool is dyed it still combines with the wool of other animals to constitute the minimum quantity of wool for which one is obligated to give the first of the sheared wool to the priest.

בֵּית שַׁמַּאי מַאי הִיא? דְּתַנְיָא: נָתַן לָהּ חִטִּין בְּאֶתְנָנָהּ וַעֲשָׂאָן סוֹלֶת, זֵיתִים – וַעֲשָׂאָן שֶׁמֶן, עֲנָבִים – וַעֲשָׂאָן יַיִן, תָּנֵי חֲדָא: אָסוּר, וְתַנְיָא אִידָךְ: מוּתָּר. וְאָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף, תָּנֵי גּוּרְיוֹן

What is the source that indicates that Beit Shammai maintain that an item that undergoes a change is considered to have the same status that it had before the change? As it is taught in a baraita: If one gave a prostitute wheat as her payment, and she ground it and converted it into flour; or if he gave her olives, and she squeezed them and converted them into oil; or if he gave her grapes, and she squeezed them and converted them into wine; and if, in any of these cases, she subsequently consecrated the final product, it is taught in one baraita that it is prohibited to sacrifice them upon the altar as a meal-offering or libation, as the Torah states: “You shall not bring the hire of a harlot or the price of a dog into the House of the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 23:19). And it is taught in another baraita that it is permitted, as the Gemara will explain. And Rav Yosef says: It was taught by Guryon