Bava Metzia 147

הכא לאו בידו

here it does not rest with him.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' For he might have failed to procure the wine at the stipulated price in any case. Hence his undertaking was an asmakta. ');">¹</span>

אמר רבא הני בי תלתא דיהבי זוזי לחד למזבן להו מידי וזבן לחד מינייהו זבן לכולהו ולא אמרן אלא דלא צר וחתים איניש איניש לחודיה אבל צר וחתים איניש איניש לחודיה למאן דזבן זבן ולמאן דלא זבן לא זבן

Raba said: If three men gave money to one person to purchase something for them, and he purchased on behalf of one only, he has purchased [it] for all three.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' All three must share it. ');">²</span>

אמר רב פפי משמיה דרבא האי סיטומתא קניא למאי הלכתא רב חביבא אמר למקניא ממש

This is so only if he [the agent] did not make up a separate sealed package of each man's money; but if he did, then for whom he has bought, he has bought, and for whom he has not bought, he has not bought.

רבנן אמרי לקבולי עליה מי שפרע

R. papi said in Raba's name: The mark [on the wine-barrels]<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' [H]. When merchants bought wine, they left it in the cellars of the growers, taking out barrel by barrel according to need, and affixed a mark on each that they had bought. [Asheri in name of R. Han. explains it as 'handshake', a recognised method among traders of closing a deal.] ');">³</span>

והלכתא לקבולי עליה מי שפרע ובאתרא דנהיגו למקני ממש קנו:

gives possession. In respect of what [does it effect a title]? — R. Habiba said: In respect of actual possession.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' That by affixing a mark it passes completely into the possession of the merchant, as though meshikah (v. Glos.) had taken place, and henceforth he must bear all risks. ');">⁴</span>

היה הוא תחלה לקוצרים: אמר רב מחוסר שתים פוסק שלש אינו פוסק ושמואל אמר בידי אדם אפילו מאה פוסק בידי שמים אפי' אחת אינו פוסק

The Rabbis said: For the acceptance of the curse.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'He who punished etc.'; v. supra 44a. It still belongs to the wine-grower (the payment of money not effecting a change of ownership), but should he desire to rescind the sale, as he may legally do, he must submit to the curse. ');">⁵</span>

תנן פוסק עמו על הגדיש והא מחוסר משדא בחמה למיבש ולמידש ומידרא כגון דשדא בחמה ויבש

And the law is that [it gives possession only] in respect of submission to the curse. But where it is the usage that this gives actual possession, it does so [with full legal recognition].<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., a method of acquisition based on local usage receives full legal recognition. ');">⁶</span>

ולשמואל דאמר בידי שמים אפי' אחת אינו פוסק והא מחוסר מידרא דבידי שמים היא אפשר בנפוותא:

IF HE WAS OF THE FIRST HARVESTERS. Rab said: If [only] two [processes] are wanting [before the crops are ready for delivery] a contract may be made; if three, no contract may be made. Samuel said: [If they are to be done] by man, even if a hundred [are lacking] an agreement may be effected; if by Heaven,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., processes not dependent on man. ');">⁷</span>

ועל העביט של ענבים: והא מחוסר מכמר ועיולי לבי מעצרתא למידש ולמנגד כדתני רבי חייא על הכומר של זיתים הכא נמי על הכומר של ענבים

even when one [is lacking] no contract may be made. We learnt: HE MAY ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR [THE CROPS IN] THE STACK. But it still wants spreading out in the sun to dry, threshing, and winnowing?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' This refutes both Rab and Samuel, for three processes are wanting, one of which, at least, sc. drying by the sun, is not in man's power. ');">⁸</span>

והא מחוסרי תלת באתרא דההוא דזבין הוא דנגיד:

— It means that it had already been spread out [and dried] in the sun. But on Samuel's view, that if dependent on Heaven, even when one [process is lacking] no contract may be made, does it not need winnowing, which is in the power of Heaven?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' This was done by throwing the corn to the wind, which separated the grain from the chaff. ');">⁹</span>

ועל המעטן של זיתים: והא מחוסר מכמר ועיולי לבי דפי למידש ולמנגד תני רבי חייא על כומר של זיתים הא איכא תלת באתרא דההוא דזבין ההוא מנגיד:

— It can be done with a fan.

ועל הביצים של יוצר: אמאי והא מחוסר לפופי ויבושי עיולי לאתונא למשרף ולמיפק כגון דמלפפה ויבישו והא איכא תלת באתרא דההוא דזבין הוא דמפיק:

AND FOR THE BASKET OF GRAPES. But they yet need heating,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' prior to manufacture the grapes were heated and caused to shrink by exposure to the sun. ');">¹⁰</span>

ועל הסיד משישקענו בכבשן: והא מחוסר מקלה ואפוקי ומידק באתרא דההוא דזבין ההוא דייק ולשמואל דאמר בידי אדם אפי' מאה פוסק למה לי משישקענו בכבשן אימא משראוי לשקעו בכבשן:

placing in the press, treading, and being drawn [into the pit]!<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' This too refutes Rab and Samuel. ');">¹¹</span>

ועל הביצים של יוצר: תנו רבנן אין פוסקים על הביצים של יוצר עד שיעשו דברי ר' מאיר אמר רבי יוסי בד"א בעפר לבן אבל בעפר שחור כגון כפר חנניא וחברותיה כפר שיחין וחברותיה פוסקין אע"פ שאין לזה יש לזה

As R. Hiyya learnt: [A contract may be made] in respect of the heated mass of olives; so here too, it is for the heated mass of grapes. But three processes are still wanting! — [It refers] to a place where the buyer draws [the wine into the pit].<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Hence only two processes are wanting. ');">¹²</span>

אמימר יהיב זוזי מכי מעיילי עפרא כמאן אי כר' מאיר האמר עד שיעשו אי כרבי יוסי האמר אע"פ שאין לזה יש לזה לעולם כרבי יוסי ובאתריה דאמימר עשיק עפרא אי דמעיילי עפרא סמכא דעתיה ויהיב להו זוזי ואי לא לא סמכא דעתיה:

AND FOR THE VAT OF OLIVES. But it must yet be heated, placed between the boards [of the olive press], pressed, and conducted [into the oil pit]! — As R. Hiyya taught: [The contract may be made] in respect of the heated mass of olives. [So here too.] But three processes are still wanting! — [It refers] to a place where the buyer draws [the oil into the pit].

ופוסק עמו על הזבל כל ימות השנה חכמים היינו תנא קמא אמר רבא

AND FOR POTTERS' LUMPS OF CLAY. But why? Surely it requires moulding, drying, placing in the oven, burning, and taking out! — [It means,] when they have been moulded and dried. But there are still three [processes wanting]! — [It refers] to a place where the buyer removes [the earthenware from the oven.] AND FOR LIME, WHEN IT HAS ALREADY BEEN PLACED IN THE KILN. But it requires to be burnt, removed [from the kiln], and crushed!<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Before it is fit for use. ');">¹³</span> — [It refers] to a place where the purchaser crushes it. But on the view of Samuel, who maintained that if they are to be done by man, even when a hundred [processes are wanting] a contract may be made, why must it have 'BEEN PLACED IN THE KILN? — Say thus: when it is ready for placing in the kiln.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., when he has the materials for making the lime, the fuel, etc., with which the kiln was fired. ');">¹⁴</span> AND FOR POTTERS' LUMPS OF CLAY. Our Rabbis taught: Contracts may not be entered into for potters' lumps of clay until they are kneaded [into lumps]: this is R. Meir's view. R. Jose said: This refers only to white earth;<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Which is rare and difficult to obtain. ');">¹⁵</span> but for black earth, such as that of Kfar Hanania and its environs, Kfar Sihin<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Both in Galilee. ');">¹⁶</span> and its environs, an agreement may be concluded, for even if one [merchant] has none, another has. Amemar paid money [for earthenware] when he [the manufacturer] had stocked himself with the earth. In accordance with whom [did he do this]? If in accordance with R. Meir? Surely R. Meir ruled [that no contract may be made] until they are kneaded [into clay]!<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' But not while it is still earth. ');">¹⁷</span> If with R. Jose, surely he said, Even if one has none, another has?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' So that Amemar could have given money even sooner. ');">¹⁸</span> — In truth, it was In accordance with R. Jose, but in Amemar's locality earth [for this purpose] was rare; hence, if he is stocked therewith, each places full reliance;<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Upon the transaction, which cannot be rescinded without submission to a curse. ');">¹⁹</span> if not, they place no reliance.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' And each may retract. ');">²⁰</span> ONE MAY ALSO MAKE A FIXED CONTRACT FOR MANURE FOR THE WHOLE YEAR. But are not the Sages identical with the first Tanna?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' V. Mishnah, 72b. ');">²¹</span> — Raba said: