It’s a Miracle
A shepherd deserts his flock for a quick break. While he is gone, a wolf eats one of the sheep. To determine if the shepherd is liable, we evaluate whether the shepherd could have fought off the wolf had he been there.
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Money and Business
Damages
Nezikin: an ox, a pit, fire and a person who causes damage.
A Cut Above
After much pleading from my wife, I agreed to take my children to the barber. The last child to get his haircut was behaving rather well, when suddenly, the screaming started.
Gold Overboard
Yehuda and Tzvi are traveling together on a ship. Unfortunately, they hit turbulent weather and stormy seas. Yehuda is forced to throw his gold bars into the sea to lighten the boat’s load.
A Superbowl Stumper
Boruch: Hi, Shimon. I believe this is yours. Shimon: My Superbowl ticket! Where was it? I was looking all over for it, and I missed the game!
Do We Need to Suffer for Torah?
The Gemara (Bava Kama 61b) expounds a story recorded in Shmuel and Divrei Hayamim. Dovid HaMelech was fighting the Philistines. A halachic question arose whether his army was permitted to destroy an individual’s…
When Is Poisoning Allowed?
There is a well-known phenomenon that occurs in communal refrigerators and shelves. Food seems to disappear from them mysteriously. This occurs in dormitories, offices, and schools.
It Looks Like Shabbos
One Shabbos, a woman was at her wit’s end when her baby refused to nurse. Looking for guidance, she went to see the Rogochover Gaon. The Rogochover looked up from his sefer and told her not to worry, “It’s a Yeushalmi.”…
Sweet and Salty
The following is based on a true story. Chaim the Customer: Shaya, do you have any sugar in stock? Shaya the Shopkeeper: Sure, and it’s on sale today! Chaim: Sweet! I’d like 5 pounds, please.
Roaring Lions and Goring Oxen
Kimby wandered the streets of Ladispoli, Italy, in early November. It was evening, and few people were around. Kimby didn’t get into any trouble. It was a good thing too, since Kimby was an escaped circus lion.
Dinim on Damages
The following stories and the rulings that follow are based on the Chashukei Chemed and Pninei Halacha on Bava Kama. They are not intended to be relied on for practical halacha. 1. Shimshon had a venomous snake as a pet.
Breaking Point
The Chasam Sofer says that studying Seder Nezikin can save a person from coming to harm, both physical and financial. If someone, chas v’shalom, has a harsh heavenly decree against him, that decree can be fulfilled by…
Of Cats, Cattle, and Craters
There is a worrying epidemic called “high-rise syndrome” that affects many New York families. Cases are more prevalent in the summer months.
A Stamping Ground
Boruch: Mazel tov on finishing Seder Nashim and half of Shas with daf yomi! Shimon: Thank you. Our continued learning should be a tremendous source of merit for the salvation of klal Yisrael. Boruch: Amen.
A Grab Bag Of Halachos
The Gemara states that the sister of Rav Tovi bar Rav Masnah, while on her deathbed, signed away all of her property to him. Rav Achadvoi, Rav Tovi’s brother, complained to his sister: “If you give away all your…
Shabbos In Disguise
One Shabbos, a woman was at her wit’s end when her baby refused to nurse. Looking for guidance, she went to see the Rogochover Gaon. The Rogochover looked up from his sefer and told her not to worry—that “it’s a…
Poison Pills
The great sage Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai desired to give a lecture on the topic of accuracy in weights and measures, but he was unsure whether to deliver the talk.
We Need To Start The Fire
The Gemara records a fundamental dispute between Reish Lakish and Rebbe Yochanan regarding damages caused by fire. Is fire to be viewed as a possession that one has a duty to safeguard?
Understanding The Gravity Of The Situation
The Chasam Sofer says that studying Seder Nezikin can save a person from coming to harm, both physical and financial. If someone, chas v’shalom, has a harsh heavenly decree against him, that decree can be fulfilled by…
Whodunit?
Rav Yitzchak Zilberstein discusses an interesting incident in his sefer Chashukei Chemed on Yoma (86b). There was an apartment building in Eretz Yisrael with 16 units. Quite possibly, the building lacked an elevator.