Bava Kama

Embark on a journey of Jewish learning and discovery, exploring the depth of our Bava Kama resources, where tagged items including audio, programs, and podcast episodes await your exploration.

Baa Baa Black Sheep: Bava Kamma 80

Rabbi Jay Kelman

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 mere miles from the hills of Jerusalem some 2,500 feet above sea level. Mountain ranges, desert, lush…
Article
Aug 23, 2016

Man and G-d: Bava Kamma 79

Rabbi Jay Kelman

  “The disciples of Rav Yochanan ben Zakkai asked him ‘why was the Torah stricter regarding a ganav, thief than a gazlan, robber?’” (Bava Kamma 79b)    The Torah distinguishes between a ganav…
Article
Aug 21, 2016

Talking too Much: Bava Kamma 72

Rabbi Jay Kelman

  “Al pi [1], according to the testimony of two or three shall something be established.” (Devarim 19:15) With so much power given to the word of witnesses Jewish law does not take kindly to those whose word cannot be…
Article
Aug 17, 2016

It's Almost Chanukah: Bava Kamma 62b

Rabbi Jay Kelman

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 important than keeping kosher and kashrut in turn is more important than shaking a lulav. Generally it…
Article
Aug 10, 2016

Fire! Bava Kamma 62

Rabbi Jay Kelman

  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 in Canada were recently witness to the severe damages caused to Fort McMurray by an out of control…
Article
Aug 9, 2016

No Reciprocity: Bava Kamma 37

Rabbi Jay Kelman

  “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 payment as the verse says ‘shor re’eihu’, the ox of your neighbour.” (Bava…
Article
Jul 18, 2016

A Shabbat Ox: Bava Kamma 37

Rabbi Jay Kelman

  Correlation does not imply causation - though it may be just that. It is not always easy to distinguish between two events that, while occurring simultaneously are in fact unrelated and those where one is the direct cause of the other. It…
Article
Jul 11, 2016

Bava Kamma 32: Running Late on Friday

Rabbi Jay Kelman

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 unless one literally enjoys bumping into people. And one who does enjoy such would be responsible for…
Article
Jul 8, 2016

Bava Kamma 27: Watch Your Step

Rabbi Jay Kelman

  In our previous posts we discussed the difference between an ox classified as a tam, a domesticated animal who is not at risk of attacking others and a muad an animal that has a history of attacking others. Such a…
Article
Jul 5, 2016

Bava Kamma 24: Minor Damages

Rabbi Jay Kelman

“The victim and the perpetrator share in the [payment] of damages.” (Bava Kamma 14b) Being a victim of an accident is never pleasant even if one is fully compensated for any losses. One can never repay the time, upset and stress such…
Article
Jul 3, 2016