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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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