Talmud Bavli
Talmud Bavli

Responsa for Bava Metzia 186:8

ועד כמה עד כדי דמיהן והיכן מצינו בשומר שכר שחייב באונסין דהדר שקיל דמיהן מבעל הבית

— It means that he heard the voice of a lion, and so entered. If so, why judge his strength? What could he then have done? — He should have met it with [the assistance of other] shepherds and staves. If so, why particularly a paid bailee? The same applies even to an unpaid one. For you yourself, Master, did say: If an unpaid bailee could have met [the destroyer, e.g., a lion] with other shepherds and staves, but did not, he is responsible! — An unpaid bailee [must obtain their help only when he can procure them] gratuitously; whereas a paid bailee must even [engage them] for payment. And to what extent?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Is he bound to hire helpers? ');"><sup>7</sup></span>

Teshuvot Maharam

Q. A borrowed a book from B for one hour with the understanding that after the hour B would send for it, and if not, he should bring the book back to B. A few hours later a fire broke out in A's house, as a result of which, A was compelled to flee for his life, as the Gentiles were accustomed to throw into the fire Jews in whose houses a fire broke out. A could not, therefore, save B's book.
A. After the period, for which A borrowed the book, had passed, A's responsibility for the book became that of a hired watchman. Therefore, if, before he fled, A could have hired somebody to save the book, and did not do so, he was liable for its loss. But if this was impossible, he was free from obligation.
SOURCES: Pr. 140; Mord. B. M. 376; Agudah B. M. 152.
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Teshuvot Maharam

Q. A gave to a broker a ring to sell. The broker lost the precious stone of the ring. The Rabbis of the town are of varied opinions. Some say that the broker is responsible for the loss, and others are of the opinion that he is not responsible.
A. The responsibility of the broker is that of a hired watchman since he took the ring in the anticipation of making a profit. The broker, therefore, must swear that the stone is not in his possession; he must also take an oath as to the value of the stone, and must repay that amount to A.
SOURCES: Pr. 547, 548; Mord. B. M. 359. Cf. Agudah B. M. 127.
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