Bava Batra 290

ואין השביעית משמטתה ואין הבכור נוטל בה פי שנים:

and the Sabbatical year<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' If it occurred before the gift had been reciprocated. ');">¹</span> does not cause Its cancellation;<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Though it causes the cancellation of debts (cf. Deut. XV, 2ff). ');">²</span> and the firstborn does not receive of it a double portion.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Where the gift reverted to the common estate of the heirs. ');">³</span> 'It may be claimed through a court of law'; what is the reason? — It is like a loan. 'And it is not subject to [the restrictions of] usury' — because he<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The shoshbin. ');">⁴</span> did not give it to him with this intention<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' That the reciprocated gift shall be of a higher value than the original one. It might just as well have been worth less. ');">⁵</span> 'And the Sabbatical year does not cause Its cancellation' — because the Scriptural [injunction], he shall not exact,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Deut. XV, 2. ');">⁶</span>

נגבית בב"ד מאי טעמא כמלוה דמיא ואין בה משום רבית דלאו אדעתא דהכי יהב ליה ואין השביעית משמטתה דלא קרינא ביה לא יגוש

cannot be applied to it.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Since it cannot be exacted at the Sabbatical year, reciprocation not being due until the groomsman celebrates his marriage. (Cf. Mak. 3b). ');">⁷</span> 'And the firstborn does not receive a double portion' — because it is prospective.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The reciprocated gift was never in the possession of the first-born's father; and all he inherited was only a claim for the future. ');">⁸</span> and a firstborn does not receive [a double portion] in prospective [property] as in that which was in [his father's] possession [at the time of his death]. R. Kahana said, [This is] the rule of groomsmanship: [If] he<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The man who has to reciprocate the wedding gift. ');">⁹</span> was In town,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' When his shoshbin celebrated his own marriage. ');">¹⁰</span> he should have come.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' With the gift. And since he did not, it may be claimed through a court of law. ');">¹¹</span>

ואין הבכור נוטל פי שנים דהוה ליה ראוי ואין הבכור נוטל בראוי כבמוחזק

[If] he<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Being out of town. ');">¹²</span> [could] hear the sound of the [wedding] bells,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Heb. tabla, [H] Gr. [G], an instrument from which bells were suspended, used at bridal and other processions. [Others, 'drum', 'tambourine'; v. Krauss, op cit 92ff.] ');">¹³</span> he should have come.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' With the gift. And since he did not, it may be claimed through a court of law. ');">¹¹</span> [If] he [could] not hear the sound of the bells,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' (Either he was not within hearing distance (R. Gersh.): or, the custom had fallen into desuetude in the locality (Krauss. op. cit. II, 41).] ');">¹⁴</span> the [other]<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The bridegroom. ');">¹⁵</span> should have informed him. He has, therefore, a grievance [against him],<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' For failing to inform him. ');">¹⁶</span>

אמר רב כהנא כללא דשושבינותא הוה במתא איבעי ליה למיתא שמע קל טבלא איבעי ליה למיתא לא שמע קל טבלא איבעי ליה לאודועיה תרעומת אית ליה שלומי משלם

but [must] nevertheless repay him. And up to how much?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., when the reciprocated gift is claimed through a court or when it is repaid in any other way, in the case where the giver of it did not participate in the wedding festivities, how much may he deduct from the value of the gift in lieu of the food and refreshments he would have consumed had he attended the festivities? ');">¹⁷</span> — Abaye said: Wedding guests<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'the children of the bridechamber'. ');">¹⁸</span> are in the habit of putting in their stomachs up to the value of a <i>zuz</i> brought in their hands;<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., if they bring gifts not exceeding one zuz in value they consume refreshments and food, at the wedding festivities, to the full value of their gift. Consequently, if the present bridegroom (the former shoshbin) had brought a gift not exceeding one zuz in value, the first bridegroom (to whom it was brought and from whom the reciprocated gift is now claimed) need not now return anything; since be saved the claimant (the present bridegroom) the value of a zuz by absenting himself from his wedding. ');">¹⁹</span> up to four [<i>zuz</i>].a half [of the value of the gifts] is paid;<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Guests who bring gifts worth more than a zuz but not exceeding four zuz receive greater attention, and their entertainment is worth half the value of their gifts. Hence, half the value of the reciprocated gifts may be deducted in lieu of the food and refreshments saved. ');">²⁰</span> in case of any higher values,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'from here onwards'. ');">²¹</span>

ועד כמה אמר אביי נהגו בני גננא עד זוזא אייתא בכפיה אכליה בכרסי' עד ארבעה משלם פלגא מכאן ואילך איניש איניש כחשיבותיה

every man according to his importance.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The more important the man and the more costly his gifts, the more the expense of his entertainment. Such a person. if he could not attend the festivities, may' consequently deduct a proportionate sum from the value of his reciprocated gift. ');">²²</span> Our Rabbis taught: If a person rendered service [to a bridegroom]<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'he did with him', i.e., acted as shoshbin and brought the customary gifts. ');">²³</span> at a public<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Gr. [G],' (Lat. pompa), 'attended with pomp and a public procession'. ');">²⁴</span> [wedding] and he<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The first mentioned. ');">²⁵</span> [now] desires [the latter] to reciprocate his services<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'to do with him'. ');">²⁶</span> at [a] private [wedding] he<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The latter. ');">²⁷</span>

תנו רבנן עשה עמו בפומבי ובקש לעשות עמו בצנעא יכול לומר לו בפומבי אעשה עמך כדרך שעשית עמי עשה עמו בבתולה ובקש לעשות עמו באלמנה יכול לומר לו בבתולה אעשה עמך כדרך שעשית עמי

may tell him, 'At a public [wedding] I will act for you as you have acted for me.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., a person need only reciprocate under conditions similar to those under which service was rendered to him. If, therefore, he is asked to act under different conditions he may refuse, and there is no obligation on his part either to reciprocate the gifts or to come to the wedding. ');">²⁸</span> If he rendered service to one<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' V.supra n. 4, ');">²⁹</span> [who married] a virgin, and he [now] desires [the latter] to reciprocate<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' V. supra n. 7' ');">³⁰</span> [on the occasion of his marriage] with a widow he<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' V.. supra n. 8. ');">³¹</span> can say to him, '[At your marriage] with a virgin I will act for you as you acted for me'<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., a person need only reciprocate under conditions similar to those under which service was rendered to him. If, therefore, he is asked to act under different conditions he may refuse, and there is no obligation on his part either to reciprocate the gifts or to come to the wedding. ');">²⁸</span> If he rendered service to one<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' V.supra n. 4, ');">²⁹</span>

עשה עמו בשניה ובקש לעשות עמו בראשונה יכול לומר לו לכשתשא אשה אחרת אעשה עמך עשה עמו באחת ובקש לעשות עמו בשתים יכול לומר לו באחת אעשה עמך כדרך שעשית עמי

on [the occasion of his] second [marriage] and he [now] desires [the latter] to reciprocate<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' V. supra n. 7' ');">³⁰</span> on [the occasion of his own] first [marriage], he<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' V.. supra n. 8. ');">³¹</span> can say to him, 'When you will marry a second wife I will reciprocate'.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., a person need only reciprocate under conditions similar to those under which service was rendered to him. If, therefore, he is asked to act under different conditions he may refuse, and there is no obligation on his part either to reciprocate the gifts or to come to the wedding. ');">²⁸</span> If he rendered service to one<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' V.supra n. 4, ');">²⁹</span> [on the occasion of his marriage] with one [woman] and he [now] desires [the latter] to reciprocate<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' V. supra n. 7' ');">³⁰</span> [on the occasion of his marriage] with two, [the latter] can say to him, '[On the occasion of your marriage] with one I will act for you as you acted for me.'<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., a person need only reciprocate under conditions similar to those under which service was rendered to him. If, therefore, he is asked to act under different conditions he may refuse, and there is no obligation on his part either to reciprocate the gifts or to come to the wedding. ');">²⁸</span>

תנו רבנן עתיר נכסין עתיר פומבי זה הוא בעל הגדות עתיר סלעים עתיר תקוע זהו בעל פלפול עתיר משח עתיר כמס זהו בעל שמועות הכל צריכין למרי חטיא גמרא

Our Rabbis taught: Rich in possessions<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Such as fields and vineyards. ');">³²</span> [and] rich in pomp<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' E.g., cattle that wander about, and are exposed to public view. ');">³³</span> — that is a master of <i>aggadoth</i>.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Who preaches to large audiences and is thus able to give public display to his knowledge. ');">³⁴</span> Rich in money<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., sela'im. ');">³⁵</span> [and] rich in oil<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Heb.. Tekoa', [H], a Palestine town famous for its oils. Others, 'rich in the ownership of houses.' ');">³⁶</span> — that is a master in dialectics.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' [Who by his creative powers is continually able to establish new points and evolve new principles. thus making his knowledge as continually productive as the possession of money and choicest oils.] ');">³⁷</span>

אמר רבי זירא אמר רב מאי דכתיב (משלי טו, טו) כל ימי עני רעים זה בעל גמרא וטוב לב משתה תמיד זה בעל משנה

Rich in products<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., '(things that are) measured', ');">³⁸</span> [and] rich in stores<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'cellar', 'store-room'. ');">³⁹</span> — that is a master of traditions.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' (Who keeps his store of traditional teachings in readiness for guidance whenever the occasion arises.] ');">⁴⁰</span> All. [however]. are dependent on<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Such as fields and vineyards. ');">³²</span> the master of wheat. [i.e.] Gemara.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The discussions and interpretations of the Mishnah and Baraithoth, and the decisions arrived at, which are indispensable for right practice and conduct. ');">⁴¹</span> R. Zera said in the name of Rab: What [character is meant] by the Scriptural text, <i>All the days of the poor are evil</i>?'<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Prov. XV, 15. ');">⁴²</span>

רבא אמר איפכא והיינו דאמר רב משרשיא משמיה דרבא מאי דכתיב (קהלת י, ט) מסיע אבנים יעצב בהם בוקע עצים יסכן בם מסיע אבנים יעצב בהן אלו בעלי משנה בוקע עצים יסכן בם אלו בעלי גמרא

— A master of Gemara;<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' [Who is often in difficulty in finding his way through the maze of the involved and intricate argumentation.] ');">⁴³</span> but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast'' refers to<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'this', ');">⁴⁴</span> a master of the Mishnah<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Where the teachings are given clearly and precisely. ');">⁴⁵</span> Raba reversed the order; and this is what R. Mesharsheya stated in the name of Raba: What [characters are referred to] in the Scriptural text, Whoso quarrieth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood is warmed up thereby?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Eccl. X, 9, Heb. [H], 'is warmed up'. (E.V. 'endangered'). ');">⁴⁶</span> is He that quarrieth stones shall be hurt therewith, has reference to<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'these'. ');">⁴⁷</span> the masters of the Mishnah;<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' [The study of the Mishnah alone, in the absence of the principles underlying the teaching thereof', affords no competence for the giving of decisions, V. Sotah 22a.] ');">⁴⁸</span>

רבי חנינא אמר כל ימי עני רעים זה שיש לו אשה רעה וטוב לב משתה תמיד זה שיש לו אשה טובה רבי ינאי אמר כל ימי עני רעים זה איסטניס וטוב לב משתה תמיד זה שדעתו יפה

and he that cleaveth wood is warmed up thereby, has reference to<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'these'. ');">⁴⁷</span> the masters of Gemara<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The study of the Gemara affords a sensible appreciation of the principles of the teaching of the Mishnah and thus enables the student to make practical application of his learning.] ');">⁴⁹</span> R. Hanina said: <i>All the days of the poor are evil</i>.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Prov. XV, 15. ');">⁴²</span> refers [to him]<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'this', ');">⁴⁴</span> who has a wicked wife; <i>but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast</i>,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Prov. XV, 15. ');">⁴²</span> refers'<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'this', ');">⁴⁴</span>

רבי יוחנן אמר כל ימי עני רעים זה רחמן וטוב לב משתה תמיד זה אכזרי ורבי יהושע בן לוי אמר כל ימי עני רעים זה שדעתו קצרה וטוב לב משתה תמיד זה שדעתו רחבה

[to him] who has a good wife. R. Jannai said: <i>All the days of the poor are evil</i><span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Prov. XV, 15. ');">⁴²</span> refers to<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'this', ');">⁴⁴</span> one who is fastidious; <i>but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast</i><span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Prov. XV. 15 ');">⁵⁰</span> refers to one of a robust constitution. R. Johanan said: <i>All the days of the poor are evil</i>,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Prov. XV. 15 ');">⁵⁰</span> refers to one who is compassionate; <i>but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast</i>,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Prov. XV. 15 ');">⁵⁰</span> refers to one who is cruel. And R. Joshua b. Levi said: <i>All the days of the poor are evil</i>,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Prov. XV. 15 ');">⁵⁰</span> refers to an impatient<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Others, 'greedy. ');">⁵¹</span> man; <i>but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast</i>,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Prov. XV. 15 ');">⁵⁰</span> refers to a contented man.