Bava Kamma 98 - February 8, 29 Shvat

Today’s daf is sponsored by Arthur Gould in loving memory of Carol’s mother Irma Robinson, Hudda Bat Moshe on her 7th yahrzeit.  "Irma built a rich life in the Chicago area including work she loved at a nearby high school library and active participation in her synagogue. She loved to have the entire family over for special events. Sadly, four years after she was widowed, Irma developed Alzheimer’s. Carol and her sister Debbie were blessed that though her illness progressed, she never forgot who they were."  If the currency changes on an outstanding loan that was set for a particular amount of the old currency, does one pay the same number of coins in the new currency or does that look like interest? Raba brings four rulings on cases of indirect damage and rules in all four cases that the one who caused the damage is exempt. Rava raises difficulties on the first three. Different important halachic principles are discussed such as garmei and davar hagorem l'mamon - an item that can have monetary significance even if the item is not worth anything at the time. Does everyone hold that if one steals items that become forbidden to benefit from, but there is no noticeable damage, the thief can return the item itself or does the thief need to return the value at the time of the theft? Rav Chisda and Raba disagree about whether or not this is a debate or do all agree that one can return the item itself, even though it no longer has any monetary value, as the damages are not noticeable in the object. If one hires another to fix something and they break it, they are responsible for paying the value of it. Rav Asi holds that if one gives wood to a carpenter to build a closet and builds it but breaks it before giving it back to the owner of the wood, the carpenter is not responsible for the broken item because the object created (the enhancement of the raw materials) is considered in their possession and the carpenter is like a seller who sells the enhancement back to the original owner.