For the source text click/tap here: Bava Metzia 42
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The entirety of our daf is made up of the Gemara on this Mishna. The rabbis discuss the proper duties of a bailee. The conversation turns to the blessings found in one's storehouses; one's savings. Often savings were buried in the ground or hidden in a wall.
The Mishna discusses one who gives an unpaid custodian money to guard. If the custodian guarded it as is customary, he is not liable for a loss of theft, but if he was derelict in guarding it – by hanging it over his back, or giving it to his little children, and not properly locking it up – he is liable for loss or theft. The Gemora explains that the way to guard money is to keep them visible, and therefore one who hangs coins over his back is negligent. The Gemora quotes three statements of Rav Yitzchak:
1. One should keep his money accessible, so he can take advantage of investment opportunities. The Torah says in relation to the money used to redeem ma’aser sheini – v'tzarta hakesef b’yadcha – you should wrap the money in your hand, indicating that even wrapped money should be kept in your hands.
2. One should split his assets into three portions – one third in land (i.e., long term investments), one third in short term investments (trade), and one third liquid, to be able to take advantage of good investment opportunities. [This last third is what Rav Yitzchak was referring to in his first statement.]
3. Blessings occur only in things that are not visible. The verse says that Hashem will bless you ba’asamecha – in your silo. The word used for silo is similar to the word for hidden, hinting that only things that are hidden can receive full blessing.
We explore the blessings that come from hidden places and spaces.