For the source text click/tap here: Bava Metzia 79
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The braisa states: If someone rented a boat and it sank midway through the journey, Rabbi Nassan says that if the owner of the boat already collected the rent, the renter cannot claim anything. If the renter did not yet pay, he does not have to pay.
The Gemora asks: What are the details of the case? If one asked to rent a specific boat and said he was going to transport wine on it to his destination, why can’t he have a claim? He should say, “Give me a boat that will transport my wine!”
Rather, the case must be that he rented a boat in general in order to transport specific cases of wine.
We explore ancient maritime trading and harbors especially in the Levant.