Commentary for Yevamot 230:11

אמר רבא מנא אמינא לה דהנהו תרי שטרי דנפקי במחוזא וכתיב בהו חבי בר ננאי וננאי בר חבי ואגבי בהו רבא בר אבוה זוזי והא חבי בר ננאי וננאי בר חבי במחוזא שכיחי טובא ואביי

the latter replied: 'Let all Nehardea be searched'.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' To ascertain whether there is no other person of the same name in that town. This obviously proves the soundness of Abaye's ruling. ');">²⁹</span> Raba, however, said: If that were so<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' As Abaye ruled. ');">³⁰</span> he<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' R. Judah Nesi'ah. ');">³¹</span> should [have ordered] the whole world to be searched!<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Any Nehardean of that name might have left Nehardea for another town after giving the letter of divorce in question. ');">³²</span> The truth is that it was only out of respect for Samuel's father<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' That he might not be chagrined by hearing that his enquiry was really futile and that there was in fact nothing for him to do but to accept the document as valid. ');">³³</span> that he sent that message. Raba said: How<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'whence'. ');">³⁴</span> do I arrive at my assertion? Because in two notes of indebtedness that were once produced in court at Mahuza [the names of the parties] were written as Habi son of Nanai and Nanai son of Habi. and Rabbah<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' So BaH.Cur. edd., 'Raba'. ');">³⁵</span> b. Abbuha ordered the collection of the debts on these bills. But, surely, there are many [men bearing the names of] Habi son of Nanai and Nanai son of Habi at Mahuza!<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' And yet it was not doubted that the persons who held the notes were the men named, which proves that even the definite existence of other men of the same name in the same place need not be taken into consideration. This being the rule in monetary matters, it may be inferred that in religious matters, the uncertain existence at least of men of the same name need not be taken into consideration. ');">³⁶</span> And Abaye?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' How' can he maintain his ruling in view' of the decision of Rabbah b. Abbuha. ');">³⁷</span>

Explore commentary for Yevamot 230:11. In-depth commentary and analysis from classical Jewish sources.