Julian Ungar-Sargon

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Daf Ditty

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

Bava Batra 51: יַעֲשֶׂה לוֹ סְגוּלָּה

jyungar August 15, 2024

For the source text click/tap here: Bava Batra 51

To download, click/tap here: PDF

As we have learned, in order to transfer property from one person to another, a kinyan must take place. A kinyan is an act that indicates a final decision on the part of the owner to sell and the purchaser to buy.

The Gemara on our daf discusses a kinyan that is done by means of a shtar – a contract or legal document. Rav Hamnuna quotes a baraita that teaches that a shtar is valid if it was written on paper or on clay, even if it is not worth a peruta – a small sum of money.

The baraita stated that if the bailee took a deposit from a minor, he must make a “segulah” a safe investment for him.

The Gemara asks: What is meant by a “suegulah” a safe investment? Rav Ḥisda says: The bailee should purchase a Torah scroll for the minor. Rabba bar Rav Huna says: He should purchase a date palm, from which the minor will consume dates.

We explore the term “segulah” as used on its biblical context and the notion of chosenness….as applied to Am Yisrael.

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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.​