Julian Ungar-Sargon

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Daf Ditty

A wide-ranging commentary on the daily page of Talmud.

Bava Kamma 78: חוּץ מִגִּיזּוֹתֶיהָ, חוּץ מִקַּרְנָהּ

jyungar January 19, 2024

For the source text click/tap here: Bava Kamma 78

To download, click/tap here: PDF

A new Mishnah deals with several different scenarios in which a thief will not be obligated for fourfold or fivefold restitution. First of all, if he sells only part of the animal, and even if he sells is 99% of the animal, he is still exempt. Second, if he steals something that he already owns part of, for instance he steals from his partner, he is exempt. Third, if the slaughtering causes the animal to become unfit to eat, because it was not done properly, he is exempt. Piercing the animals windpipe or tearing out its gullet makes the animal not kosher and therefore the thief is only obligated for twofold restitution.

The Gemara continues to question the meaning of "an ox or a sheep". In their search to understand whether or not this refers to diverse kinds, the rabbis question which animals can mate with other animals. They understand that oxen cannot mate with sheep, but which other animals might be indicated?

We examine the the laws regarding fencing and the novel Moll Flanders that illustrates the intersection of poverty and morality in 18th century Britain.

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Julian Ungar-Sargon

This is Julian Ungar-Sargon's personal website. It contains poems, essays, and podcasts for the spiritual seeker and interdisciplinary aficionado.​