Shevuot 91

Chapter 91

א רישא וסיפא בראיה ראיה דלשלם קתני ראיה דשבועה לא קתני
1 Both the first and second clauses are concerned with proof:<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., there must be witnesses that he was hired.');"><sup>1</sup></span> the proof which necessitates payment he mentions;<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' In the second clause he requires witnesses as to the amount that was stipulated; this proof (without which payment cannot be exacted) the tanna mentions.');"><sup>2</sup></span> the proof which necessitates [merely] an oath he does not mention.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' In the first clause witnesses are necessary to testify that he was hired; this the tanna does not mention (though the witnesses are necessary) , for these witnesses merely give the labourer power to take an oath.');"><sup>3</sup></span>
ב א"ר ירמיה בר אבא שלחו ליה מבי רב לשמואל ילמדנו רבינו אומן אומר שתים קצצת לי והלה אומר לא קצצתי לך אלא אחת מי נשבע אמר להן בזו ישבע בעל הבית ויפסיד אומן קציצה ודאי מידכר דכירי אינשי
2 R'Jeremiah B'Abba said: The School of Rab sent to Samuel [the request]: Let our Master teach us: If an artisan says [to his employer]: 'Two [zuz] have you stipulated to pay me,' and the other says: 'I stipulated to pay you only one,' who takes the oath? - He replied to them: In this case the householder takes the oath, and the artisan loses, for the amount stipulated people certainly remember.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' And we do not say that because the employer is busy with his labourers he does not remember the amount stipulated, and that therefore the oath should devolve on the labourer; but the employer takes the oath like every one who admits part of the claim.');"><sup>4</sup></span> But this is not so? For did not Rabbah B'Samuel learn: '[In the case of dispute about the amount] stipulated, he who desires to exact from his neighbour must bring proof'<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Supra 45b.');"><sup>5</sup></span>
ג איני והא תני רבה בר שמואל קצץ המע"ה ואי לא מייתי ראיה פקע אמאי ישבע בעל הבית ויפסיד אומן אמר רב נחמן לצדדין קתני או מביא ראיה ויטול או ישבע בעל הבית ויפסיד אומן
3 - [thus implying that] if he does not bring proof, it is cancelled!<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The extra amount which he claims; and the employer does not need to take an oath, but is automatically exempt.');"><sup>6</sup></span> But why? Let the householder take an oath, and the artisan lose!<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Only if the employer takes an oath, but not otherwise.');"><sup>7</sup></span>
ד מיתיבי הנותן טליתו לאומן אומן אומר קצצת לי שתים והלה אומר לא קצצתי לך אלא אחת כל זמן שטלית ביד אומן על בעה"ב להביא ראיה נתנה לו בזמנו נשבע ונוטל עבר זמנו המע"ה
4 - R'Nahman said: Both alternatives are meant: Either [the artisan] brings proof, and receives [his claim], or the householder takes an oath, and the artisan loses.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Do not deduce from the teaching of Rabbah b. Samuel that if the artisan does not bring proof, the employer is automatically exempt; if he does not bring proof, the employer must take an oath that he stipulated only one.');"><sup>8</sup></span> An objection was raised: If one gave his cloak to an artisan [to mend], and the artisan says.' You did stipulate to pay me two [zuz],' and the other says, 'I stipulated to pay you only one,' as long as the cloak is in the hands of the artisan, the householder must bring proof;<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., witnesses, that be stipulated to pay only one zuz, for he is the one who desires to exact from his neighbour (the cloak for only one zuz) .');"><sup>9</sup></span>
ה בזמנו מיהא נשבע ונוטל אמאי ישבע בעה"ב ויפסיד אומן
5 but if he had already given it him, then [if he claims] within his time limit,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' On the day that he gave it him.');"><sup>10</sup></span> he takes an oath, and receives [his claim]; but if his time has passed, he who desires to exact from his neighbour must bring proof.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The artisan must bring witnesses that the householder had agreed to pay him two zuz, and if he does not bring witnesses, he loses his claim.');"><sup>11</sup></span> [Now it states] after all: '[If he claims] within his limit, he takes an oath and receives [his claim]'! Why?
ו אמר רב נחמן בר יצחק הא מני ר' יהודה היא דאמר כל זמן ששבועה נוטה אצל בעה"ב שכיר נשבע ונוטל
6 Let the householder take an oath, and the artisan lose!<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' This question is directed against Samuel who holds that where the dispute is about the amount stipulated, the householder takes an oath, and is exempt.');"><sup>12</sup></span> - R'Nahman B'Isaac said: This is in accordance with the view of R'Judah<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' And Samuel does not agree with him, but with the other Sages.');"><sup>13</sup></span> who says whenever the oath inclines towards the householder, the hired person takes the oath and receives [his claim].<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Whenever the householder should, according to Scripture, take the oath, i.e., when he admits part of the claim, as here, the oath is transferred from him to the employee, because the employer cannot remember so well (even in a dispute about the amount stipulated) , for he is busy with his labourers.');"><sup>14</sup></span>
ז הי ר' יהודה אילימא ר' יהודה דמתניתין אחמורי קא מחמיר דתנן רבי יהודה אומר עד שתהא שם מקצת הודאה
7 Which R'Judah? Shall we say. R'Judah of our Mishnah?
ח אלא רבי יהודה דברייתא דתניא שכיר כל זמן שלא עבר עליו זמנו הרי זה נשבע ונוטל ואם לאו אינו נשבע ונוטל ואמר ר' יהודה אימתי בזמן שאמר לו תן לי שכרי חמשים דינר שיש לי בידך והוא אומר התקבלת מהן דינר זהב או שאמר לו שתים קצצת והלה אומר לא קצצתי לך אלא אחת
8 [Surely] he is more stringent, for we learnt: R'JUDAH SAYS: [THERE IS NO OATH] UNLESS THERE IS PARTIAL ADMISSION.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Supra 44b. Hence R. Judah restricts the labourer, and does not allow him to take an oath, even where the Sages do allow him. Therefore in the case where the amount stipulated is in dispute, how can you say that it is R. Judah who allows the labourer to take an oath and receive his claim, since others hold that in such a case the labourer is not allowed to take an oath, but the householder takes the oath, and is exempt?');"><sup>15</sup></span> - But it is R'Judah of the Baraitha; fo it was taught: A hired labourer, as long as his time limit has not expired,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' In which to claim.');"><sup>16</sup></span> takes an oath, and receives [his claim]; but if not,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' If it is after the time limit.');"><sup>17</sup></span>
ט אבל אמר לו לא שכרתיך מעולם או שאמר לו שכרתיך ונתתי לך שכרך המוציא מחבירו עליו הראיה
9 he does not take an oath, and receive [his claim]. And R'Judah said: When [does he take an oath]? Only if he says to him, 'Give me my wages fifty denarii which you owe me, and the other says.'
י מתקיף לה רב שישא בריה דרב אידי אלא קצץ רבי יהודה היא ולא רבנן השתא היכי דמחמיר רבי יהודה מקילי רבנן היכא דמקיל רבי יהודה מחמרי רבנן
10 You have already received of it a gold denar',<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' 25 silver denarii.');"><sup>18</sup></span> or, if he says to him.' Two did you stipulate to pay me,' and the other says.'
יא ואלא מאי רבנן ואלא הא דתני רבה בר שמואל קצץ המוציא מחבירו עליו הראיה מני לא רבי יהודה ולא רבנן
11 I stipulated to pay you only one.'<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Hence, even in a case where the amount stipulated is in dispute. R. Judah states clearly that the labourer takes an oath.');"><sup>19</sup></span> But if he says to him, 'I never hired you at all,' or, if says to him, 'I hired you, and paid you your wages,' then he who desires to exact from his neighbour must bring proof.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The labourer must bring witnesses, and if not, the employer is exempt, for he denies the whole claim.');"><sup>20</sup></span> To this R'Shisha the son of R'Idi demurred: Well then, [in the case where the dispute is about the amount] stipulated [is this ruling]<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' That the labourer takes the oath.');"><sup>21</sup></span>
יב אלא אמר רבא בהא קמיפלגי רבי יהודה סבר בדאורייתא עבדו ליה תקנתא לשכיר ובדרבנן הואי תקנתא ותקנתא לתקנתא לא עבדינן
12 the view of R'Judah, and not that of the Rabbis. Now since where R'Judah is more stringent,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' In the case of the Mishnah where there is no partial admission on the part of the employer, R. Judah is more stringent, and does not allow the labourer to take an oath.');"><sup>22</sup></span> the Rabbis are more lenient;<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' They do allow him to take the oath, and receive his claim.');"><sup>23</sup></span>
יג ורבנן סברי בדרבנן נמי עבדינן תקנתא לשכיר וקציצה מידכר דכיר:
13 where R'Judah is more lenient,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Where the amount stipulated is in dispute.');"><sup>24</sup></span> will the Rabbis be more stringent!<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' And not allow the labourer to take the oath!');"><sup>25</sup></span> - But then, [will] the Rabbis [also agree]?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' That in the case where the amount stipulated is in dispute the labourer takes the oath.');"><sup>26</sup></span>
יד נגזל כיצד היו מעידין אותו שנכנס לביתו למשכנו כו': ודלמא לא משכנו מי לא אמר רב נחמן האי מאן דנקיט נרגא בידיה ואמר איזיל ואקטליה לדקלא דפלניא ואשתכח דקטיל ושדי לא אמרינן דהוא קטליה
14 Then, that which Rabbah B'Samuel learnt that [where the amount] stipulated [is in dispute] he who desires to exact from his neighbour must bring proof<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The labourer must bring witnesses; but he cannot receive the amount he claims merely by taking an oath.');"><sup>27</sup></span> - whose view would it be? It cannot be the view of R'Judah, nor that of the Rabbis! - But, said Rabbah, in this they disagree: R'Judah holds in [an oath imposed by] the Torah<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Where the employer admits a portion of the claim.');"><sup>28</sup></span>
טו אלמא עביד איניש דגזים ולא עביד הכא נמי דגזים ולא עביד אימא ומשכנו וליחזי מאי משכנו אמר רבה בר בר חנה אמר רבי יוחנן בטוענו כלים הניטלין תחת כנפיו
15 an enactment was instituted in favour of the hired labourer,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' That the oath be removed from the employer and given to the labourer, who takes the oath, and receives his claim.');"><sup>29</sup></span> but in [an oath imposed by] the Rabbis,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Where the employer denies the whole; and there is only the Rabbinic oath of equity.');"><sup>30</sup></span> which is itself an enactment - we do not impose one enactment upon another enactment.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' By removing this oath from the employer and giving it to the labourer.');"><sup>31</sup></span>
טז אמר רב יהודה ראוהו שהטמין כלים תחת כנפיו ויצא
16 And the Rabbis hold even in [an oath imposed by] the Rabbis we also institute an enactment in favour of the hired labourer; but [in the case of a dispute about] the amount stipulated, this the employer remembers.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' And we do not say, because he is busy with his labourers, he forgets; therefore in this case the oath is not transferred to the labourer. Hence, it is in fact true that R. Judah is sometimes more stringent (even when the Sages are more lenient, as in the case where there is no partial admission) , and sometimes the Sages are more stringent (even where R. Judah is more lenient, as in the case where the dispute is about the amount stipulated) : the reason is because these cases depend upon different principles. Thus the ruling that the labourer takes the oath in the case of dispute about the amount is R. Judah's view, and not that of the Sages; and Rabbah b. Samuel agrees with the Sages.');"><sup>32</sup></span> 'HE WHO WAS ROBBED,' - HOW? IF THEY TESTIFIED AGAINST HIM THAT HE ENTERED HIS HOUSE TO SEIZE HIS PLEDGE, etc. But perhaps he did not seize his pledge.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The witnesses merely say that he entered the house to seize the pledge, but they did not see him take it. Why, then, should the householder he permitted to take an oath, and claim the vessels?');"><sup>33</sup></span> Did not R'Nahman say: If one held an axe in his hand, and said, 'I am going to cut down the palm-tree of So-and-so,' and it was found cut and cast [on the ground], we do not say that he cut it down?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Though the evidence against him is strong; but we must have definite evidence before we can make him pay for the damage.');"><sup>34</sup></span> Hence, a man often boasts, but does not fulfil; here also [perhaps] he boasted, and did not fulfil! - Read:<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' In the MISHNAH:');"><sup>35</sup></span> 'And seized his pledge.' - Then let us see what pledge he seized!<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' If the witnesses testify that they actually saw him seize the pledge, they can give evidence and state what the pledge was. What need, then, is there for the householder to take an oath?');"><sup>36</sup></span> - Rabbah B'Bar Hanah said that R'Johanan said: He claimed from him vessels which may be taken under his garments.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The householder claims that he took from him small articles which could easily be hidden under his coat; and though the witnesses saw that he took something, they could not see exactly what it was; therefore the householder takes an oath.');"><sup>37</sup></span> Rab Judah said: If they saw him hiding articles under his garments,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' If witnesses saw a man entering another man's house, and hide some articles under his coat, and come out.');"><sup>38</sup></span> and he came out,