Bava Metzia 144

מודה בשטר שכתבו אינו צריך לקיימו וגובה מנכסים משועבדים

If he [the debtor] admits the genuineness of a bond, he [the creditor] need not confirm it'<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' For if the debtor asserts that it is forged, the signatories thereto must attest their signatures. ');">¹</span> and can collect [his debt] from mortgaged property [sold after the debt was contracted]!<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' [V. supra 7a. Similarly here, since he admits having written the deed, the money liability involved ought to rank as a written debt!] ');">²</span>

אמר ליה רבא מי דמי התם ניתן להכתב הכא לא ניתן להכתב

Thereupon Raba said to him: How compare? There it is permissible to write it, but here it is not permissible to write it at all!<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' [Since the sale was invalid.] ');">³</span> Now, Meremar sat and recited this discussion, whereupon Rabina said to Meremar: If so, when R. Johanan said;<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' With reference to an ante-dated bond of indebtedness. ');">⁴</span>

יתיב מרימר וקאמר להא שמעתא אמר ליה רבינא למרימר אלא הא דאמר ר' יוחנן גזירה שמא יגבה מזמן ראשון נימא לא ניתן ליכתב א"ל הכי השתא התם נהי דלא ניתן ליכתב מזמן ראשון אבל ניתן ליכתב מזמן שני הכא לא ניתן ליכתב כלל

It is a precautionary measure, lest he exact his debt as from the earlier date, — let us say that it was not permissible to write it at all! — Said he: Is there the least analogy? There, granted that it was not permissible to write it from the earlier date, it was permissible to write it from the later date; but here it was not permissible to write it at all. But surely with respect to that which has been taught: As to claims for land improvement,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' V. supra 14b. ');">⁵</span> e.g., if one took away unlawfully a field from his neighbour and sold it to another, who effected improvements therein, and then it was seized from him [by the first owner], when he [the buyer] exacts [his due from the robber], he may collect the principal [even] from mortgaged property [that has since been sold], but the improvements only from the free [i.e., unsold] property<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' He is empowered to collect the principal even from sold property in virtue of the deed of sale, which guarantees to indemnify the purchaser in the event of its being seized and mortgages the vendor's estates for that purpose. ');">⁶</span>

אלא הא דתניא לשבח קרקעות כיצד הרי שגזל שדה מחבירו ומכרה לאחר והשביחה והרי היא יוצאה מתחת ידו כשהוא גובה גובה את הקרן מנכסים משועבדים ושבח גובה מנכסים בני חורין נימא לא ניתן ליכתב

— let us say that it [the deed of sale] was not permissible to be written at all!<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Hence should be invalid. ');">⁷</span> — How now? There, whether on the view that he [the vendor] is anxious not to be called a robber, or on the view that he is desirous of retaining his [the purchaser's] trust,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' V. supra 15b. ');">⁸</span>

הכי השתא התם אי למ"ד ניחא ליה דלא ניקרייה גזלנא אי למ"ד ניחא ליה דליקום בהימנותיה מפייס ליה למריה ומוקים ליה לשטריה הכא לאברוחי מיניה קמכוין שטרא מקיים ליה:

he seeks to pacify the first owner, so as to validate the deed.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., when selling the field, it is his intention to compensate the first owner, so that the deed drawn up for the second may be valid. Consequently, it is genuine, and the purchaser can act thereon. ');">⁹</span> Here, however, it was his purpose to save it from his clutches, shall he then validate the deed?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Surely not! Hence its writing was unwarranted, and therefore it may be regarded as invalid. ');">¹⁰</span>

<big><strong>מתני׳</strong></big> אין פוסקין על הפירות עד שיצא השער יצא השער פוסקין ואע"פ שאין לזה יש לזה

<b><i>MISHNAH</i></b>. A MAN MUST NOT FIX A PRICE FOR PRODUCE UNTIL THE MARKET PRICE IS KNOWN; ONCE THE MARKET IS ESTABLISHED, A FIXED PRICE MAY BE AGREED UPON, FOR EVEN IF ONE HAS NO STOCK, ANOTHER HAS. IF HE WAS OF THE FIRST HARVESTERS, HE [THE BUYER] MAY ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR [THE CROPS IN] THE STACK,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., for the grain already in stacks, though no market price has been established. ');">¹¹</span> THE BASKET OF GRAPES,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' A basket used for carrying grapes during the vintage; the meaning is that one may fix a price for the wine to be manufactured from grapes already vintaged in baskets. ');">¹²</span>

היה הוא תחילה לקוצרים פוסק עמו על הגדיש ועל העביט של ענבים ועל המעטן של זיתים ועל הביצים של יוצר ועל הסיד מששקעו בכבשן

THE VAT OF OLIVES,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' As in the preceding note. ');">¹³</span> POTTERS' LUMPS OF CLAY,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., for the earthenware to be manufactured thereof. ');">¹⁴</span>

ופוסק עמו על הזבל כל ימות השנה רבי יוסי אומר אין פוסקין על הזבל אלא אם כן היתה לו זבל באשפה וחכמים מתירים

AND FOR LIME WHEN IT HAS ALREADY BEEN PLACED IN THE KILN.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' In all these cases the vendor is held to be in possession of the articles he is selling, though they are not completely manufactured. Consequently, a price may be agreed upon and paid, and though delivery will not be effected until later, by which time the market price may have advanced (for in all these cases the reference is to a sale before a market price has been established at all), it is nevertheless permissible, the lower pre-payment not ranking as interest. ');">¹⁵</span> ONE MAY ALSO MAKE A FIXED CONTRACT FOR MANURE FOR THE WHOLE YEAR. R. JOSE MAINTAINED: NO CONTRACT FOR MANURE MAY BE ENTERED INTO UNLESS HE [THE VENDOR] HAS THE MANURE IN DUNG PITS; BUT THE SAGES PERMIT IT. AND ONE MAY ALSO BARGAIN FOR THE LOWEST PRICE.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'the high price', i.e., the price at the height of the market when the commodity is cheap. After fixing a price, the vendor may contract to supply stock throughout the year at the lowest price prevailing at the time of each delivery. Thus, the first price fixed is only to be regarded as a maximum, not to be exceeded if the market price advances. ');">¹⁶</span>

ופוסק עמו בשער הגבוה רבי יהודה אומר אע"פ שלא פסק עמו בשער הגבוה יכול לומר תן לי כזה או תן לי את מעותי:

R. JUDAH SAID: EVEN IF HE DID NOT STIPULATE FOR THE LOWEST PRICE, HE MAY DEMAND, 'SUPPLY ME AT THIS PRICE, OR RETURN MY MONEY.'<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' In the whole Mishnah the reference is to advance payment at a fixed rate. R. Judah maintains that even without a definite stipulation it is always implied, therefore the purchaser can insist upon the advantage of a price-drop or rescind the sale, without being deemed dishonourable and subject to the curse. (V. supra 44a.) ');">¹⁷</span> <b><i>GEMARA</i></b>. R. Assi said in R. Johanan's name: One may not fix a contract at market prices.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., to supply for a certain period at the market price prevailing at the time of the contract. This prohibition naturally refers only to the case where the vendor himself lacks supplies when making the contract. ');">¹⁸</span>

<big><strong>גמ׳</strong></big> אמר ר' אסי אמר ר' יוחנן אין פוסקין על שער שבשוק אמר ליה ר' זירא לר' אסי אמר ר' יוחנן אפי' כדורמוס הזה אמר ליה לא אמר ר' יוחנן אלא בשוק של עיירות דלא קביעי תרעייהו

R. Zera questioned R. Assi: Did R. Johanan rule thus even of a great fair?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' That one may not contract at the market price ruling in great fairs, though such are generally stable, and a fair indication of value. — Durmos, the word in the text, is a disguise of [G], or Mercurius, the divinity of commerce to whom a great annual fair, probably of Tyre, was dedicated (Jast.). [Krauss, Lehnworter, connects it with the [G], race-course, which was also the market-place.] ');">¹⁹</span> He replied: R. Johanan referred only to town markets, where values fluctuate.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'are not fixed.' ');">²⁰</span>

ולמאן דסליק אדעתין מעיקרא דאמר ר' יוחנן אפי' כדורמוס הזה אלא מתני' דקתני אין פוסקין על הפירות עד שיצא השער יצא השער פוסקין היכי משכחת לה מתניתין בחיטי דאכלבי וארבי דמשוך תרעיה טפי

Now, on the original hypothesis that R. Johanan referred even to a great fair, how is our Mishnah conceivable, which teaches, A MAN MUST NOT FIX A PRICE FOR PRODUCE UNTIL THE MARKET PRICE IS KNOWN; ONCE THE MARKET PRICE IS ESTABLISHED, A FIXED PRICE MAY BE AGREED UPON? — Our Mishnah relates to wheat in granaries and ships, whose fixed price extends over a long period.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' When the wheat has been stored, or sufficient has been imported, its price is stabilised and there is no fear of appreciation, which may result in an appearance of interest. ');">²¹</span> Our Rabbis taught: One may not contract for commodities until the market price is out; once the market price is established, a contract may be entered into, for even if one [the vendor] has no stock, another has. If the new supplies were at four [se'ahs per <i>sela'</i>] and the old at three, a contract may not be made until the price has been equalised for the new and old.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' New supplies were cheaper, because they were not yet fully dried. Now the purchaser, though paying early, does not receive the wheat until that too becomes old, and if he contracts for the whole at the price of new, he receives interest. Therefore he must wait until the same market price is fixed for both. ');">²²</span>

ת"ר אין פוסקין על הפירות עד שיצא השער יצא השער פוסקין אע"פ שאין לזה יש לזה היו חדשות מארבע וישנות משלש אין פוסקין עד שיצא השער לחדש ולישן

If the gleaned grains<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., grains gleaned in small quantities from many fields, and consequently of inferior quality and cheaper. ');">²³</span> were [priced] at four [se'ahs and upward per <i>sela'</i>], whilst ordinary stock<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'of all men'. ');">²⁴</span>

היו לקוטות מארבע ולכל אדם משלש אין פוסקין עד שיצא השער ללוקט ולמוכר

at three, a contract must not be entered into [at a fixed maximum price] until the same market price has been established for the gleaner<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., the petty trader in gleanings. ');">²⁵</span> and the merchant.

אמר רב נחמן פוסקין ללקוטות כשער הלקוטות א"ל רבא לרב נחמן מ"ש לוקט דאי לית ליה יזיף מלקוט חבריה בעל הבית נמי יזיף מלקוט א"ל בעל הבית זילא ביה מילתא למיזף מלקוט איבעית אימא מאן דיהב זוזי לבעל הבית אפירי שפירי יהיב

R. Nahman said: One may contract for gleanings at the price of gleanings.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Though a contract may not be made until the prices are equalised, that is only if the vendor may supply gleanings or ordinary stock; but if the vendor is a gleaner, supplying only gleanings, the transaction is permitted. ');">²⁶</span> Said Raba to R. Nahman: Why does the gleaner differ?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' That you permit it. ');">²⁷</span>

אמר רב ששת אמר רב הונא אין לוין על שער שבשוק אמר ליה רב יוסף בר חמא לרב ששת ואמרי לה רב יוסי בר אבא לרב ששת ומי א"ר הונא הכי והא בעי מיני' מרב הונא הני בני בי רב דיזפי בתשרי ופרעי בטבת שרי או אסיר אמר להו הא חיטי בהיני והא חיטי בשילי אי בעי זבני ופרעי ליה

Because if he lacks stock, he will borrow from his fellow gleaner? Then even a merchant<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'a householder', 'landlord'. ');">²⁸</span> can borrow from a gleaner!<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Hence the transaction should be universally permitted, for even an ordinary factor may obtain supplies of gleanings when his own stock is exhausted. ');">²⁹</span>

מעיקרא סבר רב הונא אין לוין כיון דשמעה להא דא"ר שמואל בר חייא א"ר אלעזר לוין אמר איהו נמי לוין

— He replied: A merchant deems it undignified to borrow from a gleaner. Alternatively, he who pays money to a merchant expects to receive best quality produce.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Hence, if he pays the lower price of gleanings, he receives interest for advancing the money. ');">³⁰</span> R. Shesheth said in R. Huna's name: One may not borrow upon the market price.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Rashi: One may not borrow money with the stipulation that if it is not repaid by a certain date, provisions will be supplied in its stead at the market price prevailing at the time of the loan, which is lower than that which will prevail later. Others: One may not borrow a se'ah of corn to repay a se'ah later, when its value will have advanced, in reliance upon the fact that the corn has a fixed market price, and it is possible for the borrower to obtain a se'ah now or at any time that the price remains unaltered, either by cash or on credit, and keep it until repayment is due. ');">³¹</span>

תנו רבנן המוליך חבילה ממקום למקום מצאו חבירו ואמר לו תנה לי ואני אעלה לך כדרך שמעלין לך באותו מקום

Thereupon R. Joseph b. Hama said to R. Shesheth — others say, R. Jose b. Abba said to R. Shesheth: Did R. Huna actually rule thus? But a problem was propounded of R. Huna: The students who borrow in Tishri and repay in Tebeth — is it permitted or forbidden?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Tishri is the seventh month of the Jewish year, Tebeth the tenth. If they borrow money in Tishri and repay in kind in Tebeth at the prices of Tishri; or (taking the second interpretation, p. 420, n. 11) if they borrow provisions in Tishri and return the same quantity in Tebeth, is the transaction permitted? ');">³²</span> He replied: Wheat may be procured in Hini and Shili:<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' V. p 377, n. 3. ');">³³</span> if they wish, they can buy [in Tishri] and repay!<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Hence the transaction is not usurious. This contradicts R. Huna's former ruling. ');">³⁴</span> — At first R. Huna held that one must not borrow, but on hearing that R. Samuel b. Hiyya said in R. Eleazar's name that one may, he too ruled likewise. Our Rabbis taught: If a man was transporting a load from place to place,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' To sell, its value there being greater. ');">³⁵</span> when his neighbour met him and proposed: 'Let me have it, and I will pay you for it the price you would obtain there,'