## Bava Metzia Daf 52a

###### Bava Metzia 52a:1
[Bava Metzia 52a:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Metzia/r/52a:1)

שְׁמוֹנָה פּוּנְדְּיוֹנוֹת, שְׁנֵי פּוּנְדְּיוֹנוֹת לְדִינָר.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The accepted depreciation is **eight *pundeyon*,** which is a rate of **two *pundeyon* per dinar,** or one-sixth of a dinar.


###### Bava Metzia 52a:2
[Bava Metzia 52a:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Metzia/r/52a:2)

עַד מָתַי מוּתָּר לְהַחְזִיר? בִּכְרַכִּים – עַד כְּדֵי שֶׁיַּרְאֶה לַשּׁוּלְחָנִי, בִּכְפָרִים – עַד עַרְבֵי שַׁבָּתוֹת. אִם הָיָה מַכִּירָהּ – אֲפִילּוּ לְאַחַר שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר חֹדֶשׁ מְקַבְּלָהּ הֵימֶנּוּ, וְאֵין לוֹ עָלָיו אֶלָּא תַּרְעוֹמֶת.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The mishna continues: **Until when** is it **permitted** for one **to return** a worn coin once he realizes that it is defective? **In the cities [*bakerakim*],** one may return it only **until a period** of time has passed **that** would allow him to **show** it **to a money changer,** who is an expert in matters of coins. **In the villages,** where there is no money changer, one may return it only **until Shabbat eves,** when people purchase their Shabbat needs. Although these are the limits of how much a coin must be eroded in order for there to be exploitation, **if** the one who gave the coin to the aggrieved party **recognized it, he must accept it** back **from him even after twelve months** have passed no matter how little the erosion affected its value. **And he has only a grievance against him,** as the Gemara will explain.


###### Bava Metzia 52a:3
[Bava Metzia 52a:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Metzia/r/52a:3)

וְנוֹתְנָהּ לְמַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי וְאֵינוֹ חוֹשֵׁשׁ, שֶׁאֵינוֹ אֶלָּא נֶפֶשׁ רָעָה.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**And** one **may give** the slightly eroded coin **for** use in the desacralizing **of second-tithe** produce **and he** need **not be concerned, as** one who would refuse to accept a slightly eroded coin **is merely a miserly soul,** while the coin is in fact valid for any use.


###### Bava Metzia 52a:4
[Bava Metzia 52a:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Metzia/r/52a:4)

**גְּמָ׳** וּרְמִינְהִי: עַד כַּמָּה תְּהֵא הַסֶּלַע חֲסֵירָה וְיִהְיֶה בָּהּ אוֹנָאָה?

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**GEMARA:** **And** the Gemara **raises a contradiction** to the mishna from a *baraita* in which the same measures of depreciation are enumerated, as in that *baraita* those measures are introduced with the question: **How much** must **the *sela*** coin **be eroded so** that its use in a transaction at its original value **will constitute exploitation?** That is diametrically opposed to the mishna.


###### Bava Metzia 52a:5
[Bava Metzia 52a:5](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Metzia/r/52a:5)

אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא, לָא קַשְׁיָא: תַּנָּא דִּידַן קָא חָשֵׁיב מִמַּטָּה לְמַעְלָה, תַּנָּא בָּרָא קָא חָשֵׁיב מִלְּמַעְלָה לְמַטָּה.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**Rav Pappa says:** This is **not difficult. The *tanna* of our** mishna **calculates** the measures **from low to high.** The *tanna* says that it does not constitute exploitation up to, but not including, the levels of depreciation enumerated in the mishna. Beginning with those levels of depreciation, it is exploitation. And **the external *tanna*,** i.e., the *tanna* of the *baraita*, **calculates from high to low.** That *tanna* says that it is exploitation down to and including the levels of depreciation enumerated in the *baraita*. It is only beneath those levels that it is not considered exploitation. There is no halakhic dispute between the two *tanna’im*.


###### Bava Metzia 52a:6
[Bava Metzia 52a:6](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Metzia/r/52a:6)

מַאי שְׁנָא בְּסֶלַע דִּפְלִיגִי, וּמַאי שְׁנָא בְּטַלִּית דְּלָא פְּלִיגִי?

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara returns to discuss the mishna and asks: **What is different with regard to a *sela*, that** the *tanna’im* **disagree** about the level of depreciation that constitutes exploitation, **and what is different with regard to a garment, that** the *tanna’im* **do not disagree** concerning whether the disparity between value and price that constitutes exploitation is one-sixth or less than one-sixth?


###### Bava Metzia 52a:7
[Bava Metzia 52a:7](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Metzia/r/52a:7)

אָמַר רָבָא: מַאן תְּנָא טַלִּית – רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן הִיא. אַבָּיֵי אָמַר: טַלִּית – עַד שְׁתוּת מָחֵיל אִינִישׁ. דְּאָמְרִי אִינָשֵׁי: עֲשִׁיק לְגַבָּיךְ וְשָׁוֵי לִכְרֵסָיךְ. סֶלַע, כֵּיוָן דְּלָא סַגִּי לֵיהּ – לָא מָחֵיל.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**Rava said: Who** is the *tanna* that **taught** the *halakhot* of exploitation with regard to **a garment** in the *mishnayot* cited earlier in this chapter? **It is Rabbi Shimon,** who maintains that even in the case of a *sela*, the measure of exploitation is one-sixth. **Abaye said** that the two cases are different: With regard to **a garment, a person** is likely **to waive** the disparity **up to one-sixth, as people say: Overpay** and acquire an item **for your back,** i.e., a garment, **and** acquire **at cost** items **for your stomach,** i.e., food. Since it is worth purchasing fine garments, the disparity is not significant. By contrast, with regard to the ***sela*** in question, **since it does not circulate, he does not waive** even the sum of a smaller disparity.


###### Bava Metzia 52a:8
[Bava Metzia 52a:8](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Metzia/r/52a:8)

גּוּפָא: עַד כַּמָּה תְּהֵא הַסֶּלַע חֲסֵירָה וִיהֵא בָּהּ אוֹנָאָה? רַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר: אַרְבָּעָה אִיסָּרוֹת, אִיסָּר לְדִינָר. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: אַרְבָּעָה פּוּנְדְּיוֹנוֹת, פּוּנְדְּיוֹן לְדִינָר. רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן אוֹמֵר: שְׁמוֹנָה פּוּנְדְּיוֹנוֹת, שְׁנֵי פּוּנְדְיוֹנִים לְדִינָר. יָתֵר עַל כֵּן – מוֹכְרָהּ בְּשׇׁוְיָהּ.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
§ With regard to **the** matter of exploitation and coins **itself,** the Gemara elaborates: **How much will the *sela*** coin **be eroded and** its use in a transaction **will constitute exploitation? Rabbi Meir says: Four *issar*,** which is a rate of **an *issar* per dinar. Rabbi Yehuda says: Four *pundeyon*, a *pundeyon* per dinar. Rabbi Shimon says: Eight *pundeyon*, two *pundeyon* per dinar.** If the depreciation is **greater than that, he may sell** the coin **at its value** as metal, not for its original value.


###### Bava Metzia 52a:9
[Bava Metzia 52a:9](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Metzia/r/52a:9)

עַד כַּמָּה תִּיפָּחֵת וִיהֵא רַשַּׁאי לְקַיְּימָהּ? בְּסֶלַע – עַד שֶׁקֶל. בְּדִינָר – עַד רוֹבַע. פָּחוֹת מִכֵּן אִיסָּר – אָסוּר לְהוֹצִיאָהּ. הֲרֵי זֶה לֹא יִמְכְּרֶנָּה לֹא לַתַּגָּר וְלֹא לְחָרָם וְלֹא לְהָרָג, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁמְּרַמִּין בָּהּ אֶת אֲחֵרִים. אֶלָּא יִקֳּבֶנָּה וְיִתְלֶנָּה בְּצַוַּאר בְּנוֹ אוֹ בְּצַוַּאר בִּתּוֹ.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**To** what **extent can the coin erode and it will** still **be permitted** for one **to maintain it** as a coin? **With regard to a *sela*,** it can be used as a *sela* **until** it erodes so that its value reaches **one shekel,** i.e., half a *sela*. **With regard to a dinar,** it can be used as a dinar **until** it erodes so that its value reaches **one-quarter.** Once it erodes to the point where its value reaches **an *issar* less than that,** it is **prohibited to spend it. He may not sell** the invalidated coin **to a merchant, nor to a violent man, nor to a murderer, because they deceive others with it** or force them to take it. **Rather, he should perforate it and suspend it** as an ornament **on the neck of his son or the neck of his daughter.**


###### Bava Metzia 52a:10
[Bava Metzia 52a:10](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Metzia/r/52a:10)

אָמַר מָר: בְּסֶלַע עַד שֶׁקֶל, בְּדִינָר עַד רוֹבַע. מַאי שְׁנָא בְּסֶלַע עַד שֶׁקֶל, וּמַאי שְׁנָא בְּדִינָר עַד רוֹבַע?

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara continues its analysis of the *baraita*. **The Master said: With regard to a *sela*,** it can be used as a *sela* **until** it erodes so that its value reaches **one shekel,** i.e., half a *sela*. **With regard to a dinar,** it can be used as a dinar **until** it erodes so that its value reaches **one-quarter.** The Gemara asks: **What is different** whereby **with regard to a *sela*,** it can be used as a *sela* **until** it erodes so that its value reaches **one shekel,** which is half a *sela*, **and what is different** whereby **with regard to a dinar,** it can be used as a dinar **until** it erodes so that its value reaches **one-quarter [*rova*]?**


###### Bava Metzia 52a:11
[Bava Metzia 52a:11](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Metzia/r/52a:11)

אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: מַאי ״רוֹבַע״ דְּקָתָנֵי – נָמֵי רוֹבַע שֶׁקֶל. אָמַר רָבָא: דַּיְקָא נָמֵי, דְּקָא תָּנֵי ״רוֹבַע״, וְלָא קָתָנֵי ״רְבִיעַ״. שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**Abaye says: What** is the meaning of ***rova* that** the *baraita* **teaches?** It **too** is referring to a coin called *rova*, which is worth **one-quarter of a shekel,** which is half a dinar. **Rava said:** The language of the *baraita* **is also precise** in this regard, **as** the *tanna* **teaches *rova* and does not teach one-quarter [*revia*].** The Gemara concludes: **Learn from** that inference that the reference of the *tanna* of the *baraita* is to the coin called *rova*, which is half a dinar.


###### Bava Metzia 52a:12
[Bava Metzia 52a:12](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Metzia/r/52a:12)

לְמָה לֵיהּ לְמִתְלְיֵיהּ לְדִינָר בְּשֶׁקֶל? מִלְּתָא אַגַּב אוֹרְחֵיהּ קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן, דְּאִיכָּא דִּינָר דְּאָתֵי מִשֶּׁקֶל.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara asks: **Why** does the *tanna* state his ruling so that the amount of erosion that disqualifies **a dinar is dependent on a shekel?** Why does the *tanna* state the measure as one-quarter of a shekel, rather than stating it as one-half of a dinar? The Gemara explains: By doing so, the *tanna* **teaches us a matter in passing, that there are** cases where **a dinar originates from a shekel,** e.g., a shekel that eroded and is now worth one-half its original value, i.e., one dinar.


###### Bava Metzia 52a:13
[Bava Metzia 52a:13](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Metzia/r/52a:13)

מְסַיַּיע לֵיהּ לְרַבִּי אַמֵּי. דְּאָמַר רַבִּי אַמֵּי: דִּינָר הַבָּא מִשֶּׁקֶל – מוּתָּר לְקַיְּימוֹ. דִּינָר הַבָּא מִסֶּלַע – אָסוּר לְקַיְּימוֹ.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
This **supports** the opinion **of Rabbi Ami, as Rabbi Ami says:** With regard to **a dinar that originated from a shekel, it is permitted to maintain it** and use it as a dinar. Based on its size and shape, there is no concern that people will confuse it with a shekel. With regard to **a dinar that originated from a *sela*, it is prohibited to maintain it** and use it as a dinar. Due to the fact that even after erosion the coin remains the size of a *sela*, which is clearly larger than a dinar, the concern is that people will mistakenly consider it more valuable than a dinar.


###### Bava Metzia 52a:14
[Bava Metzia 52a:14](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Metzia/r/52a:14)

פָּחוֹת מִכֵּן אִיסָּר – אָסוּר לְהוֹצִיאָהּ. מַאי קָאָמַר? אָמַר אַבָּיֵי, הָכִי קָאָמַר: פָּחֲתָה סֶלַע יוֹתֵר מִכְּדֵי אוֹנָאָה אִיסָּר – אָסוּר. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רָבָא: אִי הָכִי – אֲפִילּוּ מַשֶּׁהוּ נָמֵי! אֶלָּא אָמַר רָבָא: פָּחֲתָה סֶלַע אִיסָּר לְדִינָר – אָסוּר, וּסְתָמָא כְּרַבִּי מֵאִיר.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
§ The Gemara continues its analysis of the *baraita*, which teaches: Once it erodes to the point where its value reaches **an *issar* less than that,** it is **prohibited to spend it.** The Gemara asks: **What is** the *tanna* **saying** in that statement? **Abaye said** that **this** is what the *tanna* **is saying:** If **a *sela* eroded** by the amount of **an *issar* greater than the measure of exploitation,** it is **prohibited** to spend it at its original value. **Rava said to** Abaye: **If so,** then **even any amount** greater than the measure of exploitation should be forbidden **as well. Rather, Rava said** that this is what the *tanna* is saying: If **a *sela* eroded** by the amount of **an *issar* per dinar,** it is **prohibited** to spend it, **and** this **unattributed** *baraita* is **in accordance with** the opinion of **Rabbi Meir,** who says in the mishna that the measure of exploitation is one *issar* per dinar.


###### Bava Metzia 52a:15
[Bava Metzia 52a:15](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Metzia/r/52a:15)

תְּנַן הָתָם: סֶלַע שֶׁנִּפְסְלָה וְהִתְקִינָהּ שֶׁיְּהֵא שׁוֹקֵל בָּהּ מִשְׁקָלוֹת – טְמֵאָה. עַד כַּמָּה תִּיפָּחֵת וִיהֵא רַשַּׁאי לְקַיְּימָהּ? (לַסֶּלַע) שְׁנֵי דִּינָרִים, פָּחוֹת מִכֵּן – יָקוֹץ.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**We learned** in a mishna **there** (*Kelim* 12:7): **A *sela* that was invalidated** for use as a coin, **and** an individual **designated it so that he would weigh with it** items that require **weighing,** is susceptible to becoming **ritually impure.** His designation rendered it a vessel like any other weight. **To** what **extent can the coin erode and** it **will** still **be permitted to maintain it? For a *sela*,** it is an erosion of **two dinars,** half its value. If it eroded to an extent that it was worth **less than that, he must cut** it into pieces to prevent its being confused with a proper coin.


###### Bava Metzia 52a:16
[Bava Metzia 52a:16](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Metzia/r/52a:16)

יָתֵר עַל כֵּן מַאי? אָמַר רַב הוּנָא: פָּחוֹת מִכֵּן – יָקוֹץ, יָתֵר עַל כֵּן – יָקוֹץ. רַבִּי אַמֵּי אָמַר: פָּחוֹת מִכֵּן – יָקוֹץ, יָתֵר עַל כֵּן – יְקַיֵּים.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara asks: If it eroded but its current value is **greater than** one shekel, **what** is the *halakha*? **Rav Huna says:** If it eroded and depreciated **less than** one shekel **he must cut** it into pieces, and if it eroded and depreciated **more than that he must** also **cut** it into pieces. **Rabbi Ami says:** If it eroded and depreciated **less than** one shekel **he must cut** it into pieces, and if it eroded and depreciated **more than that he may maintain** it, because there is no concern that one will confuse a coin that eroded to that extent with a *sela*.


###### Bava Metzia 52a:17
[Bava Metzia 52a:17](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Bava%20Metzia/r/52a:17)

מֵיתִיבִי:

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara **raises an objection** from the *baraita*: