Talmud Bavli
Talmud Bavli

Responsa for Chullin 165:53

דאמר רבי יוחנן

AS THE 'ONE DAY' MENTIONED IN CONNECTION WITH THE CREATION MEANS THE DAY AND THE NIGHT PRECEDING IT, SO TOO THE 'ONE DAY' MENTIONED IN CONNECTION WITH THE LAW OF 'IT AND ITS YOUNG' MEANS THE DAY AND THE NIGHT PRECEDING IT.

Teshuvot Maharam

Q. A had paid off the greater part of the loan he had contracted from Gentile money-lenders against a pledge. B wanted to borrow money from these money-lenders. He asked A to permit him to borrow money against this pledge of A that was still in the hands of the Gentiles, and A assented. Subsequently, the Gentile's house burned down and A's pledge was lost [in the flames]. Must B compensate A for this loss?
A. Since B did not take possession of A's pledge, he never became responsible for its safety. Therefore, B owes nothing to A. Although the burning of A's pledge cancelled B's debt to the Gentiles (by the law of the land), and thus directly benefited B, Heaven bestowed a blessing upon him; why should he therefore share it with A?
This Responsum was addressed to Rabbi Asher.
SOURCES: Am II, 159; Mord. B. M. 371; Tesh. Maim. to Mishpatim, 60; Mordecai Hagadol, p. 289b.
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