Talmud Bavli
Talmud Bavli

Musar for Bava Kamma 69:3

שורו היכי משכחת לה א"ל רב אויא הכא במאי עסקינן בשור פקח שעלתה לו נשיכה בגבו וקא בעי למקלייה ואיגנדר בקוטמא

But how is this possible in the case of Cattle? — R. Iwiya replied: The case here supposed is one of an intelligent animal which, owing to an itching in the back, was anxious to burn the barn so that it might roll in the [hot] ashes. But how could we know [of such an intention]? [By seeing that] after the barn had been burnt, the animal actually rolled in the ashes. But could such a thing ever happen? — Yes, as in the case of the ox which had been in the house of R. Papa, and which, having a severe toothache, went into the brewery, where it removed the lid [that covered the beer] and drank beer until it became relieved [of the pain]. The Rabbis, however, argued in the presence of R. Papa: How can you say that [the Mishnah places the act of] Cattle on a level with [the act of] the owner himself? For is it not stated: IF CATTLE HAS BROUGHT INDIGNITY [UPON A HUMAN BEING] THERE IS NO LIABILITY,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' V. p. 192, n. 2. ');"><sup>3</sup></span>

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