Julian Ungar-Sargon

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Daf Ditty

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

Men preparing for the mikveh, before the Sabbath 16th century

Bava Metzia 4: פִּיו יוֹכיִח

jyungar March 3, 2024

For the source text click/tap here: Bava Metzia 4

To download, click/tap here: PDF

Rebbi Chiya teaches that one is obligated to swear when witnesses testify that he owes half of the amount of money that his opponent claims. The Gemara derives Rebbi Chiya's ruling from a Tzad ha'Shaveh from Hoda'as Piv and Ed Echad. The Gemara asks that Rebbi Chiya's ruling should not be derived from this Tzad ha'Shaveh, since neither Hoda'as Piv nor Ed Echad makes the defendant "Huchzak Kafran," whereas when two witnesses testify that he owes half of the claim he is "Huchzak Kafran."

The Gemara answers that even when two witnesses contradict his word regarding the loan (and he is a "Kofer b'Milveh"), he retains the status of a valid witness. Therefore, even when witnesses testify against him, he is not "Huchzak Kafran.”

We explore the limits of testimony and the struggle between modesty and the need for 3 men to witness the immersion of a convert.

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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.​