Julian Ungar-Sargon

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  • Dominican University
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Daf Ditty

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

In loving memory of Matan Mergil

Bava Metzia 76: חָזְרוּ זֶה בָּזֶה

jyungar May 14, 2024

For the source text click/tap here: Bava Metzia 76

To download, click/tap here: PDF

Our daf offers us a deeper understanding of how labourers were treated in ancient Jewish society. Continuing with the Gemara based on yesterday's Mishna, the rabbis discuss what should be done when an agreement has been made between labourers and an employer. Whether or not those labourers are subcontractors, the rabbis are concerned about their payment.

We learned yesterday that in such a contract, the person who changes the contract and/or the person who reneges on the contract is at a disadvantage. This means that if there is a dispute regarding payment of wages or fees, the court will side with the person who is at an advantage. But what about situations where the work is completed early? What about cases where the work is easier or more strenuous that was believed when the contract was ratified?

We explore labor laws according to Jewish practice.

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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.​