## Bava Batra Daf 8b

###### Bava Batra 8b:1
[Bava Batra 8b:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Batra/r/8b:1)

פִּדְיוֹן שְׁבוּיִם מִצְוָה רַבָּה הִיא.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
that **redeeming captives is a great mitzva.**


###### Bava Batra 8b:2
[Bava Batra 8b:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Batra/r/8b:2)

אֲמַר לֵיהּ רָבָא לְרַבָּה בַּר מָרִי: מְנַָא הָא מִילְּתָא דַאֲמוּר רַבָּנַן דְּפִדְיוֹן שְׁבוּיִם מִצְוָה רַבָּה הִיא? אֲמַר לֵיהּ, דִּכְתִיב: ״וְהָיָה כִּי יֹאמְרוּ אֵלֶיךָ אָנָה נֵצֵא, וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵיהֶם כֹּה אָמַר ה׳, אֲשֶׁר לַמָּוֶת – לַמָּוֶת, וַאֲשֶׁר לַחֶרֶב – לַחֶרֶב, וַאֲשֶׁר לָרָעָב – לָרָעָב, וַאֲשֶׁר לַשְּׁבִי – לַשֶּׁבִי״. וְאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: כׇּל הַמְאוּחָר בְּפָסוּק זֶה קָשֶׁה מֵחֲבֵירוֹ.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**Rava said to Rabba bar Mari:** Concerning **this matter that the Sages stated, that redeeming captives is a great mitzva, from where is** it derived? Rabba bar Mari **said to him: As it is written: “And it shall come to pass, when they say to you: To where shall we depart? Then you shall tell them: So says the Lord: Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for famine, to famine; and such as are for captivity, to captivity”** (Jeremiah 15:2). **And Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Whichever** punishment **is** written **later in this verse is more severe than the one** before it.


###### Bava Batra 8b:3
[Bava Batra 8b:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Batra/r/8b:3)

חֶרֶב קָשָׁה מִמָּוֶת – אִי בָּעֵית אֵימָא קְרָא, וְאִי בָּעֵית אֵימָא סְבָרָא. אִי בָּעֵית אֵימָא סְבָרָא – הַאי קָא מִינַּוַּול, וְהַאי לָא קָא מִינַּוַּול. וְאִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא קְרָא – ״יָקָר בְּעֵינֵי ה׳ הַמָּוְתָה לַחֲסִידָיו״.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
Rabbi Yoḥanan explains: **The sword is worse than death. If you wish, say** that this is learned from **a verse; if you wish, say** instead that it is derived by way of **logical reasoning. If you wish, say** that this is derived by way of **logical reasoning: This** punishment, i.e., death by sword, **mutilates** the body, **but that** punishment, i.e., natural death, **does not mutilate** it. **And if you wish, say** that the fact that the sword is worse than death is learned from **a verse: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His pious ones”** (Psalms 116:15).


###### Bava Batra 8b:4
[Bava Batra 8b:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Batra/r/8b:4)

רָעָב קָשֶׁה מֵחֶרֶב – אִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא סְבָרָא: הַאי קָא מִצְטַעַר, וְהַאי לָא קָא מִצְטַעַר. אִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא קְרָא: ״טוֹבִים הָיוּ חַלְלֵי חֶרֶב מֵחַלְלֵי רָעָב״. שֶׁבִי [קָשֶׁה מִכּוּלָּם] – דְּכוּלְּהוּ אִיתַנְהוּ בֵּיהּ.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**Famine is worse than the sword. If you wish, say** that this is derived by way of **logical reasoning: This one,** who dies of famine, **suffers** greatly before departing from this world, **but that one,** who dies by the sword, **does not suffer. If you wish, say** instead that the fact that famine is worse than the sword is learned from **a verse: “More fortunate were the victims of the sword than the victims of famine”** (Lamentations 4:9). And **captivity is worse than all of them, as it includes all of them,** i.e., famine, the sword, and death.


###### Bava Batra 8b:5
[Bava Batra 8b:5](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Batra/r/8b:5)

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: קוּפָּה שֶׁל צְדָקָה נִגְבֵּית בִּשְׁנַיִם, וּמִתְחַלֶּקֶת בִּשְׁלֹשָׁה. נִגְבֵּית בִּשְׁנַיִם – שֶׁאֵין עוֹשִׂים שְׂרָרוֹת עַל הַצִּבּוּר פָּחוֹת מִשְּׁנַיִם, וּמִתְחַלֶּקֶת בִּשְׁלֹשָׁה – כְּדִינֵי מָמוֹנוֹת.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
§ In connection with the previous discussion concerning charity distribution, the Gemara cites a *baraita* in which **the Sages taught:** Money for **the charity fund is collected by two** people **and distributed by three** people. **It is collected by two** people **because one does not appoint an authority over the community** composed **of fewer than two** people. **And it is distributed by three people, like** the number of judges needed in cases of **monetary law,** since the distributors determine who receives money and who does not, as well as how much each person receives.


###### Bava Batra 8b:6
[Bava Batra 8b:6](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Batra/r/8b:6)

תַּמְחוּי נִגְבֵּית בִּשְׁלֹשָׁה, וּמִתְחַלֶּקֶת בִּשְׁלֹשָׁה; שֶׁגִּבּוּיָהּ וְחִלּוּקָהּ שָׁוִים. תַּמְחוּי – בְּכׇל יוֹם, קוּפָּה – מֵעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת לְעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
Food for **the charity platter is collected by three** people **and distributed by three** people **because its collection and its distribution** take place on **the same** day. Food for **the charity platter** is collected and distributed **every day,** and therefore a third individual must participate in the collection so that he will be available to take part in the distribution without delay; whereas the money of **the charity fund** is distributed only once a week, on **each Shabbat eve.**


###### Bava Batra 8b:7
[Bava Batra 8b:7](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Batra/r/8b:7)

תַּמְחוּי – לַעֲנִיֵּי עוֹלָם, קוּפָּה – לַעֲנִיֵּי הָעִיר. וְרַשָּׁאִים בְּנֵי הָעִיר לַעֲשׂוֹת קוּפָּה – תַּמְחוּי, וְתַמְחוּי – קוּפָּה, וּלְשַׁנּוֹתָהּ לְכׇל מַה שֶּׁיִּרְצוּ.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
There are additional differences between these two types of charity operations: The food from **the charity platter** is distributed **to the poor of the world,** meaning, to any poor individual arriving in the city; the money of **the charity fund** is allocated exclusively **to the poor of the city. But it is permitted for the residents of the city to use** money that has been collected for **the charity fund** to purchase food for **the charity platter** to feed the poor; **and** similarly they may use food that had been collected for **the charity platter** for **the charity fund.** In general, it is permitted for them **to change** the purpose toward which charity will be used **to whatever they want,** in accordance with the needs of the community.


###### Bava Batra 8b:8
[Bava Batra 8b:8](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Batra/r/8b:8)

וְרַשָּׁאִין בְּנֵי הָעִיר לְהַתְנוֹת עַל הַמִּדּוֹת, וְעַל הַשְּׁעָרִים, וְעַל שְׂכַר פּוֹעֲלִים; וּלְהַסִּיעַ עַל קִיצָתָן.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
Similarly, **it is permitted for the residents of the city to set the measures** used in that city, **the prices** set for products sold there, **and the wages** paid **to** its **workers, and to fine** people **for violating their** specifications, in order to enforce observance of these *halakhot*. This marks the end of the *baraita*, the details of which the Gemara proceeds to analyze.


###### Bava Batra 8b:9
[Bava Batra 8b:9](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Batra/r/8b:9)

אָמַר מָר: אֵין עוֹשִׂין שְׂרָרוֹת עַל הַצִּבּוּר פָּחוֹת מִשְּׁנַיִם. מְנָא הָנֵי מִילֵּי? אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן, אָמַר קְרָא: ״וְהֵם יִקְחוּ אֶת הַזָּהָב וְגוֹ׳״.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**The Master said** in the *baraita*: **One does not appoint an authority over the community** composed **of fewer than two** people. The Gemara asks: **From where are these matters** derived? **Rav Naḥman says** that this is derived from a verse referring to those engaged in building the Tabernacle and weaving the priestly vestments, who received the community’s donations. **The verse states: “And they shall take the gold,** and the sky-blue wool, and the purple wool” (Exodus 28:5). The plural “they” indicates that the collection must be performed by two people.


###### Bava Batra 8b:10
[Bava Batra 8b:10](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Batra/r/8b:10)

שְׂרָרוֹת הוּא דְּלָא עָבְדִי, הָא הֵימוֹנֵי מְהֵימַן – מְסַיַּיע לֵיהּ לְרַבִּי חֲנִינָא, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי חֲנִינָא: מַעֲשֶׂה וּמִינָּה רַבִּי שְׁנֵי אַחִין עַל הַקּוּפָּה.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara comments: The *baraita* indicates that **authority may not be exercised** by less than two people, **but** even a single individual **is trusted** to be a treasurer. That is, money for the charity fund is collected by two people, not because a single individual is not trusted not to misappropriate the money, but rather because a single individual should not be given authority over the community. **This supports** the opinion **of Rabbi Ḥanina, as Rabbi Ḥanina says: There was an incident where Rabbi** Yehuda HaNasi **appointed two brothers to** administer **the charity fund.** Even though the brothers were relatives who are not trusted to testify against each other, Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi was not concerned and he appointed them.


###### Bava Batra 8b:11
[Bava Batra 8b:11](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Batra/r/8b:11)

מַאי שְׂרָרוּתָא? דְּאָמַר רַב נַחְמָן אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר אֲבוּהּ: לְפִי שֶׁמְּמַשְׁכְּנִין עַל הַצְּדָקָה, וַאֲפִילּוּ בְּעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת. אִינִּי? וְהָא כְּתִיב: ״וּפָקַדְתִּי עַל כׇּל לֹחֲצָיו״, וְאָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק בַּר שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר מָרְתָא מִשְּׁמֵיהּ דְרַב: וַאֲפִילּוּ עַל גַּבָּאֵי צְדָקָה!

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara asks: **What authority** is associated with collecting charity? The Gemara answers: **As Rav Naḥman says** that **Rabba bar Avuh says: Because they can seize collateral for the charity;** i.e., they can collect charity by force, **and even on Shabbat eve,** when people are busy and might claim that they have no time or money. The Gemara objects: **Is that so? But isn’t it written: “I will punish all that oppress them”** (Jeremiah 30:20), **and Rabbi Yitzḥak bar Shmuel bar Marta says in the name of Rav: And** punishment will be meted out **even to charity collectors?** If charity collectors are permitted to force people to contribute charity, why are they counted among Israel’s oppressors?


###### Bava Batra 8b:12
[Bava Batra 8b:12](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Batra/r/8b:12)

לָא קַשְׁיָא; הָא דַּאֲמִיד, הָא דְּלָא אֲמִיד. כִּי הָא דְּרָבָא אַכְפְּיֵהּ לְרַב נָתָן בַּר אַמֵּי, וּשְׁקַיל מִינֵּיהּ אַרְבַּע מְאָה זוּזֵי לִצְדָקָה.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara answers: This is **not difficult. This,** Rabbi Naḥman’s statement, applies **when** the contributor is **rich,** in which case the collectors may seize money from him even by force. **That,** Rabbi Yitzḥak’s statement, applies **when** he is **not rich,** in which case the collectors who take money from him by force are termed oppressors of Israel. **This** right to force contributions from the rich is **like** what occurred in the incident in which **Rava compelled Rav Natan bar Ami and took four hundred dinars from him for charity.**


###### Bava Batra 8b:13
[Bava Batra 8b:13](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Batra/r/8b:13)

״וְהַמַּשְׂכִּלִים יַזְהִרוּ כְּזֹהַר הָרָקִיעַ וְגוֹ׳״; ״הַמַּשְׂכִּלִים יַזְהִרוּ כְּזֹהַר הָרָקִיעַ״ – זֶה דַּיָּין שֶׁדָּן דִּין אֱמֶת לַאֲמִתּוֹ. ״וּמַצְדִּיקֵי הָרַבִּים כַּכּוֹכָבִים לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד״ – אֵלּוּ גַּבָּאֵי צְדָקָה.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
Having raised the issue of charity collection, the Gemara cites various rabbinic expositions with regard to the matter. The verse states: **“And they who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament;** and they who turn many to righteousness like the stars for ever and ever” (Daniel 12:3). **“And they who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament”; this is a judge who judges an absolutely true judgment,** as his wisdom and understanding lead him to a correct judgment. **“And they who turn many to righteousness like the stars for ever and ever”; these are the charity collectors,** who facilitate the giving of charity.


###### Bava Batra 8b:14
[Bava Batra 8b:14](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Batra/r/8b:14)

בְּמַתְנִיתָא תָּנָא: ״וְהַמַּשְׂכִּלִים יַזְהִרוּ כְּזֹהַר הָרָקִיעַ״ – זֶה דַּיָּין שֶׁדָּן דִּין אֱמֶת לַאֲמִתּוֹ, וְגַבָּאֵי צְדָקָה. ״וּמַצְדִּיקֵי הָרַבִּים כַּכּוֹכָבִים לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד״ – אֵלּוּ מְלַמְּדֵי תִינוֹקוֹת. כְּגוֹן מַאן? אָמַר רַב: כְּגוֹן רַב שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר שִׁילַת. דְּרַב אַשְׁכְּחֵיהּ לְרַב שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר שִׁילַת דַּהֲוָה קָאֵי בְּגִינְּתָא, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: שְׁבַקְתֵּיהּ לְהֵימָנוּתָךְ? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הָא תְּלֵיסַר שְׁנִין דְּלָא חַזְיָא לִי, וְהַשְׁתָּא נָמֵי דַּעְתַּאי עִלָּוַיְהוּ.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**It was taught in a *baraita*: “And they who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament”; this is a judge who judges an absolutely true judgment and** also **charity collectors. “And they who turn many to righteousness like the stars for ever and ever”; these are schoolteachers.** The Gemara asks: **Like whom?** Certainly not every schoolteacher is worthy of such accolades. **Rav said: For example, Rav Shmuel bar Sheilat. As** it is told that **Rav** once **found Rav Shmuel bar Sheilat standing in a garden.** Rav **said to him: Have you abandoned your trust** and neglected your students? Rav Shmuel bar Sheilat **said to him: It has been thirteen years** now **that I have not seen** my garden, **and even now my thoughts are on** the children.


###### Bava Batra 8b:15
[Bava Batra 8b:15](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Batra/r/8b:15)

וְרַבָּנַן מַאי? אָמַר רָבִינָא: ״וְאֹהֲבָיו כְּצֵאת הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ בִּגְבֻרָתוֹ״.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
In light of the praises heaped upon judges, tax collectors, and schoolteachers, the Gemara asks: **And what** was said about **the Sages? Ravina said** that about them it is stated: **“But let them that love Him be as the sun when it comes out in its might”** (Judges 5:31).


###### Bava Batra 8b:16
[Bava Batra 8b:16](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Batra/r/8b:16)

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: גַּבָּאֵי צְדָקָה אֵינָן רַשָּׁאִין לִפְרוֹשׁ זֶה מִזֶּה, אֲבָל פּוֹרֵשׁ זֶה לַשַּׁעַר וְזֶה לַחֲנוּת. מָצָא מָעוֹת בַּשּׁוּק – לֹא יִתְּנֵם בְּתוֹךְ כִּיסוֹ; אֶלָּא נוֹתְנָן לְתוֹךְ אַרְנָקִי שֶׁל צְדָקָה, וּלִכְשֶׁיָּבֹא לְבֵיתוֹ יִטְּלֵם. כַּיּוֹצֵא בּוֹ, הָיָה נוֹשֶׁה בַּחֲבֵירוֹ מָנֶה, וּפְרָעוֹ בַּשּׁוּק – לֹא יִתְּנֶנּוּ לְתוֹךְ כִּיסוֹ, אֶלָּא נוֹתְנָן לְתוֹךְ אַרְנָקִי שֶׁל צְדָקָה, וּלִכְשֶׁיָּבֹא לְבֵיתוֹ יַטְלֵם.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara resumes its discussion of the *halakhot* of charity collection: **The Sages taught** in a *baraita*: **Charity collectors may not separate from each other,** each one collecting in a different place; **but** in a place where the two can see each other, one collector **may separate** from the other, e.g., **this** one going **to the gate** of a house **and that** one going **to a store.** If a charity collector **found coins in the market, he may not put them into his** own **pocket, but** rather **he must put them into the charity purse, and** then later **when he comes home, he may take them** from there. This is necessary so that people should not suspect him of taking charity money for himself. **Similarly,** if the charity collector **was owed one hundred dinars by another, and** the latter **repaid** his debt **in the market,** the collector **may not put** the money he received **into his** own **pocket, but** rather **he must put it into the charity purse, and** then later **when he comes home, he may take it.**


###### Bava Batra 8b:17
[Bava Batra 8b:17](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Batra/r/8b:17)

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: גַּבָּאֵי צְדָקָה שֶׁאֵין לָהֶם עֲנִיִּים לְחַלֵּק – פּוֹרְטִין לַאֲחֵרִים, וְאֵין פּוֹרְטִין לְעַצְמָן. גַּבָּאֵי תַמְחוּי שֶׁאֵין לָהֶם עֲנִיִּים לְחַלֵּק – מוֹכְרִין לַאֲחֵרִים וְאֵין מוֹכְרִין לְעַצְמָן. מָעוֹת שֶׁל צְדָקָה – אֵין מוֹנִין אוֹתָן שְׁתַּיִם, אֶלָּא אַחַת אַחַת.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**The Sages taught** in a *baraita*: **Charity collectors who have no poor people to** whom they can **distribute** the money, **may exchange [*poretin*]** the money, i.e., exchange the copper coins, which tend to rust, for silver dinars, **with other** people, **but they should not change it** by **themselves,** i.e., with their own coins, to avoid any suspicion of wrongdoing. Likewise, **collectors** of food **for the charity platter who do not have poor people** to whom **to distribute** the food **may sell** the food **to others, but they should not sell it to themselves,** for a similar reason. **Coins of charity are not counted two** by two, **but rather one by one,** to avoid errors in tallying.


###### Bava Batra 8b:18
[Bava Batra 8b:18](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Batra/r/8b:18)

אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: מֵרֵישׁ לָא הֲוָה יָתֵיב מָר אַצִּיפֵּי דְּבֵי כְנִישְׁתָּא. כֵּיוָן דְּשַׁמְעַהּ לְהָא דְּתַנְיָא: ״וּלְשַׁנּוֹתָהּ לְכׇל מַה שֶּׁיִּרְצוּ״, הֲוָה יָתֵיב. אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: מֵרֵישׁ הֲוָה עָבֵיד מָר תְּרֵי כִיסֵי – חַד לַעֲנִיֵּי דְעָלְמָא, וְחַד לַעֲנִיֵּי דְמָתָא. כֵּיוָן דְּשַׁמְעַהּ לְהָא דַּאֲמַר לֵיהּ שְׁמוּאֵל לְרַב תַּחְלִיפָא בַּר אַבְדִּימִי: ״עָבֵיד חַד כִּיסָא,

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**Abaye said: At first,** my **Master,** Rabba, **would not sit on the mats in the synagogue because** they had been purchased with charity funds. **Once he heard that which is taught** in a *baraita*, that it is permitted for the residents of a city **to change** the purpose toward which charity will be used **to whatever they want, he did sit** on them. **Abaye said: At first,** my **Master,** Rabba, **would make two purses, one for the poor of** the rest of **the world, and one for the poor of his city. Once he heard what Shmuel said to Rav Taḥalifa bar Avdimi: Make** only **one purse,**