Dina demalchuta dina, the law of the land is the law, is one of the most famous, far-reaching and even revolutionary laws of the Talmud. At its most…
![](/themes/vwm_base/images/article-default-380x240.jpg)
Travelling for Teshuva: Bava Kamma 103
The distinction between a ganav and a gazlan is fairly well known. The former in trying to hide his crime pays double the amount stolen whereas the…
![](/sites/default/files/styles/380x240/public/2024-05/shutterstock_439390204.jpg?itok=J18BGgEX)
Keep the Money: Bava Kamma 94
Doing teshuva is hard work. Sinning can be fun, easy to do, financially beneficial and habit forming. Change is hard. It requires hard work,…
![](/sites/default/files/styles/380x240/public/2024-06/shutterstock_427937146.jpg?itok=baeglpdz)
The Wisdom of the Common Man: Bava Kamma 92
One of the revolutions of Judaism was its democratization. No person is inherently superior to another--all are created in the same Divine image. One…
![](/themes/vwm_base/images/article-default-380x240.jpg)
Please Forgive Me: Bava Kamma 92
“Even though he repays him he is not forgiven until he asks him.” (Bava Kamma 92a) In our last couple of postings we have discussed the…
![](/sites/default/files/styles/380x240/public/2024-06/shutterstock_1547688401.jpg?itok=1l5DvJxR)
Let's Have a Party!: Bava Kamma 87
In our last post we discussed Rabbi Yehuda’s (rejected) view that the blind are exempt from mitzvoth. This exemption actually brought great joy…
![](/themes/vwm_base/images/article-default-380x240.jpg)
The Death Penalty?: Bava Kamma 86
Rav Yaakov Ettlinger in his collection of responsa (Binyan Tzion #172) discusses the powerful and scary question of whether one has to give up one…
![](/sites/default/files/styles/380x240/public/2024-07/shutterstock_1699448707.jpg?itok=AzNc38eG)
Take Five:Bava Kamma 85
Masechet Bava Kamma begins by describing one’s responsibility to pay for damages caused by one’s animals. It then discusses damages one…
![](/sites/default/files/styles/380x240/public/2024-07/shutterstock_1930018292.jpg?itok=cIDYO3Ts)
A Perfect Ten: Bava Kamma 82
“Rav Yossi said: It would have been proper for the Torah to be given by Ezra had Moshe not preceded him.” (Sanhedrin 21b) It was Moshe…
![](/themes/vwm_base/images/article-default-380x240.jpg)
Only One Chance: Bava Kamma 80
When opportunity knocks, answer – you may not get a second chance. Or to quote the language of our Sages “a closed door does not easily […
![](/sites/default/files/styles/380x240/public/2024-06/shutterstock_554749171.jpg?itok=bHkzg3tD)
Baa Baa Black Sheep: Bava Kamma 80
One of the beautiful features of the Land of Israel is its wide-ranging topography. The lowest point on earth some 1,300 feet below sea level is…
![](/sites/default/files/styles/380x240/public/2024-05/shutterstock_1800084583.jpg?itok=ddHOG0nP)
Man and G-d: Bava Kamma 79
“The disciples of Rav Yochanan ben Zakkai asked him ‘why was the Torah stricter regarding a ganav, thief than a gazlan…
![](/sites/default/files/styles/380x240/public/2024-05/shutterstock_2294893201.jpg?itok=vUB36lni)
Talking too Much: Bava Kamma 72
“Al pi [1], according to the testimony of two or three shall something be established.” (Devarim 19:15) With so much power…
![](/sites/default/files/styles/380x240/public/2024-05/shutterstock_1203865201.jpg?itok=9wd-QySt)
It's Almost Chanukah: Bava Kamma 62b
While there are 613 categories of mitzvoth they are not all created equal. Saving a life is more important than observing Shabbat, Shabbat is more…
![](/sites/default/files/styles/380x240/public/2024-05/shutterstock_774690196.jpg?itok=kfvFWH9H)
Fire! Bava Kamma 62
One of the greatest causes of damage to public property is that of fire. Forest fires cause damage to millions of acres of every year and we…
![](/themes/vwm_base/images/article-default-380x240.jpg)
No Reciprocity: Bava Kamma 37
“The ox of a Jew who gores the ox belonging to the Temple or the ox of the Temple that gores the ox of the Jew they are exempt from…
![](/themes/vwm_base/images/article-default-380x240.jpg)
A Shabbat Ox: Bava Kamma 37
Correlation does not imply causation - though it may be just that. It is not always easy to distinguish between two events that, while…
![](/sites/default/files/styles/380x240/public/2024-05/shutterstock_2305502091.jpg?itok=znQg_Uwq)
Bava Kamma 32: Running Late on Friday
Slow down. Such would be good advice for those trying to navigate a busy street. Running down the street in any major urban area is not recommended…