BAVA BASRA 166 (13 Tamuz) - Today's Daf is dedicated to the blessed memory of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Seymour Ira Gottlieb (Yitzchak Shimon ben Chaim Shlomo Yosef ha'Levi, Z"L), who died in World War II on the 13th of Tamuz 5704 in the battle of St. Lo, France, fighting the Nazis to save his Jewish brethren in Europe.

1)

VAGUE EXPRESSIONS IN A DOCUMENT (cont.)

(a)

Question: The Beraisa says that 'gold b'Dinarim' means at least two silver Dinarim worth of gold. Perhaps he meant a gold ingot worth two gold Dinarim!!

(b)

Answer (Abaye): The bearer of the document has the lower hand.

(c)

Question: If so, we should say the same in the Reisha! (When it says 'Kesef b'Dinarim', why does he get two gold Dinarim worth of Kesef? The bearer should have the lower hand!) (text of Maharshal)

(d)

Answer (Rav Ashi): There, it says Dinari (which connotes gold Dinarim). Here it says Dinarim (this can refer to gold or silver.)

(e)

Question: What is the source to distinguish these expressions?

(f)

Answer (Mishnah): If on five occasions, Leah had a doubt if she must bring a Korban for her miscarriage (or Zivah (non-menstrual blood)), once she brings one Korban (two birds), she may eat Kodshim. She is obligated to bring the rest.

1.

Once, in Yerushalayim, pairs of birds were selling for Dinari of gold. R. Shimon ben Gamliel resolved to cause the price to drop to Dinarim. He expounded in Beis Din that she brings one Korban, she may eat Kodshim, and she need not bring the rest. The price plummeted to a quarter of a (silver Dinar).

166b----------------------------------------166b

2)

A DISCREPANCY IN A DOCUMENT

(a)

(Mishnah): If it says above...

(b)

(Beraisa): We can learn one erased letter of the bottom from the top, but not two. E.g. if the bottom says 'Chanan' and the top says 'Chanani', we learn from it.

(c)

Question: Presumably, we cannot learn two letters, because sometimes this is half the name (when the name has four letters);

1.

Also we should not learn one letter, for sometimes this is half the name, i.e. when the name has two letters!

(d)

Answer: Rather, we cannot learn two letters, because sometimes this is most of the name (when the name has three letters).

(e)

(Rav Papa): If above it says 'Sefel' (Rashbam - bowl), and below it says 'Kefel' (a doubled garment), we follow the bottom (it is less. Tosfos - 'SeFeL' stands for 'Samech PaLgei (60 halves)'; alternatively, Se'ah v'PaLga (a Se'ah and a half). 'Kefel' stands for 'Kuf (100) Palgei', or Kav and a half.)

(f)

Question (Rav Papa): If it says 'Kefel' above and 'Sefel' below, what is the law?

1.

(Do we follow the bottom, or) do we suspect that the 'Samech' was really a 'Kuf', and some of the ink was moved by a fly?

(g)

This question is not resolved. (Therefore, the bearer of the document has the lower hand. He collects according to 'Sefel'.)

3)

AN AMBIGUOUS EXPRESSION IN A DOCUMENT

(a)

Question (Rav Sharbiya): If a document says '600 and a Zuz', does this mean '600 Sela'im and a Zuz', or (could it mean) '600 Perutos and a Zuz'?

(b)

Answer (Abaye): One would not write (a large number of) Perutos in a document. He would give the value in Zuzim;

1.

Version #1 (R. Chananel): He collects 600 (common) Sela'im (each is one eighth silver, i.e. half a Zuz) and a Zuz, because the bearer of a document has the lower hand.

2.

Version #2: We do not know if '600' refers to Sela'im (each is four Zuzim) or Zuzim (Rashbam - these coins are pure silver; Ramah - they are common). The bearer of the document has the lower hand (he gets 601 Zuzim).

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