The Weekly Daf #12 Bava Kama 65-71 Week of 18 -24 Iyar 5754/29 April - 5 May 1994 By Rabbi Mendel Weinbach, Dean, Ohr Somayach Institutions ========================================================================= This issue is dedicated in memory of Bernard Greenman O.B.M. ========================================================================= Rehabilitation Versus Compensation The Talmudic Sages recognized the difficult challenge facing a man who wishes to give up a life of crime and make amends to his victims. They therefore decreed that in certain circumstances a repentant thief would be exempt from the strict Torah Law governing the return of stolen property. If he stole a beam and built it into the roof of his home he is exempted from the Torah Law requirement to take apart his roof to return the beam and can instead pay the victim the value of the beam. This is to avoid discouraging him from repentance. Bava Kama 66b (Another example of such consideration is found later in this Tractate. A professional thief once declared an interest in mending his ways. His wife, however, warned him that if he repented he would have to return everything he owned and would be left without even money for a belt. This fear made him abandon his plan for repentance. When the Sages learned of this they decreed that if a man who had supported himself through crime takes the initiative to repent and is no longer in possession of the article he has stolen the victim of his theft should refuse to accept compensation in order not to discourage him from repentance). ========================================================================= Ounce of Prevention Fruit produced by a tree during its fourth year cannot be eaten outside of Jerusalem unless it has been redeemed for money which will later be spent in Jerusalem. A traveler passing by a vineyard in its fourth year might irresponsibly help himself to some of its fruit and also transgress the ban on eating it unredeemed. The very pious owners of such fields (tznuin) would therefore set aside some money and declare that any of the fruit picked by a passerby would be redeemed on this money. They thus assured that no one would come to sin through them in any way. Bava Kama 68b ========================================================================= Spend this coming Summer in Israel for as little as $599 -> JLE Israel Summer Seminar '94 <- 6 weeks of study and touring (June 1 - July 17) for Jewish men between the ages of 19 and 30 with demonstrated academic achievment and a sincere motivation to explore their roots. Minimum scholarship price: $599 (for round trip ticket, room, board, tuition and tours) For information: o send E-Mail to Rabbi Zalman Corlin o from the U.S. call toll-free 800-431-2272 (212-344-2000) o Outside N. America, send E-Mail to: newman@jerusalem1.datasrv.co.il ========================================================================= Dedication opportunities are available for the Weekly Daf. Please contact us for details. ========================================================================= Jewish L EEEEEEEE Prepared by Ohr Somayach Institutions J L E 22 Shimon Hatzadik Street, POB 18103 J L Exchange Jerusalem 91180, Israel J J L E Tel: 02-810315 Fax: 02-812890 JJJJ Learning EEEEEEEE Internet: newman@jerusalem1.datasrv.co.il =========================================================================