Responsa for Bava Metzia 186:3
איתיביה עד מתי שומר שכר חייב לשמור עד כדי (בראשית לא, מ) הייתי ביום אכלני חורב וקרח בלילה א"ל התם נמי בחזני מתא אמר ליה אטו יעקב אבינו חזן מתא הוה דאמר ליה ללבן נטרי לך נטירותא יתירתא כחזני מתא
— He replied, 'There the reference is to city watchmen.'<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Appointed to watch at night, and upon whose vigilance the safety of the town depends; greater care is demanded from them. ');"><sup>3</sup></span>
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.
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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