Bava Batra 103 -Tzom Gedalia - October 6, 4 Tishrei

This month's learning is sponsored by Adam, Carolyn, Michal, Josh, Benny, Izzy, Shim, Zoe and Yehuda in loving memory of Judith Rosenfeld Hochstadter, Gittel bat Kreindel v'Binyamin Benzion for her shloshim. "She was an elegant, smart, hardworking, "outspoken" person, who survived the shoah alone, and came to Montreal and built a family and a business. She learned from her parents to be observant, honest, and a giver of tzedaka anonymously. She loved going to shul on the Yamim Noraim, especially when there was a good chazan! Ma, Savta, and Great- Savta - "Ateret Rosheinu" - we will try to emulate you and carry on your and Dad's legacy. With much love and admiration, we miss you."  Today's daf is sponsored by Heather Stone in loving memory of her Grandma Rose, Rachel Leah bat Aharon v’Golda on her 39th yahrzeit. "She taught me to light Shabbat candles and I still use her grandmother’s candlesticks."  Today's daf is sponsored by Jane Leiser in honor of Nicki's birthday "Happy birthday!!! I am so proud of you for doing this incredible learning!!! Love you very much, Mom." If one sells a field of a particular size, if there are parts with cracks or rocks, they are included in the measurement of the field if they are less than ten handbreadths in depth/height. But if they are ten handbreadths in depth/height, they are not considered part of the field and more land must be given to the buyer to complete the measurement. A Mishna from Arakhin explains that if one consecrates a field from an ancestral field with cracks and rocks, they are included in the amount given to the Temple only if the cracks/rocks are less than ten handbreadths in depth/height. After asking why the cracks that are more than ten handbreadths deep aren't consecrated as an independent unit worthy of planting, the Gemara explains that the Mishna is referring only to cracks that are filled with water as they are not able to be used for planting. However, our Mishna can be referring to any kind of cracks, as cracks that are ten handbreadths deep are a hindrance for a buyer as they makes it difficult for the owner to plow. The Mishna discussed the height of the rocks but not the area of space they take up. Rabbi Yitzchak explains that if they take up a space in which four kav of seeds can be planted, they are not part of the measurement of the field even if they are less than ten handbreaths in height. However, there is a debate about whether these rocks (of four kav in size) are spread in a part of the field where five kav can be planted or even if they are not spread in the majority of the field. A series of questions are asked about what the law would be if they are spread not in the majority, but most of the four kav are in the majority or they are in a circle, or a row, or a zigzag, etc. These questions remain unanswered. If they are on the border, they are also not included, even if they are not ten in height. The Mishna delineates the margin of error in the measurement of a piece of land sold, which depends on the language used at the time of the sale. If the seller said "beit kor as measured by a rope, any extra amount given to the buyer needs to be returned to the seller. But if the seller said "give or take" the margin of error is a quarter kav per se'ah (1/24). The Gemara asks: What would be the law if the seller simply said, "a beit kor"?