The Gemara continues to work through possible meanings of our last baraita - who inherits what when a pregnant woman is assaulted and miscarries. The rabbis consider whether the woman might have been a Canaanite maidservant who was emancipated (along with her emancipated-Canaanite-slave-husband, and both died without heirs. They consider whether she might have been a divorcee who was subsequently impregnated by her ex-husband (illegally). They discuss which scenarios would require damages to be paid - for damage, for pain. And they discuss whether land or money should be used as payment. If money is used, they consider the payment of a double portion.
If a slave was killed unintentionally, is the payment of thirty shekels still required? Does this depend on whether or not one has admitted to the killing? My question - if one admits to killing a slave unintentionally, does that count as a migo? Why not deny the entire incident? The rabbis move forward - is a ransom paid for a slave? What if a fire was caused unintentionally? The rabbis remember to mention situations where the larger of two crimes would be punished, nullifying the less serious consequence.
Some very disturbing situations, including a slave who catches fire, are used as examples. And then the rabbis discuss what might be meant by the phrases "a slave" and "if a slave"; "a ransom" and "if a ransom". Our daf ends with the beginning of a conversation about whether there are different consequences when an ox kills a minor and when it kills an adult. Although minors are not punished as if they are adults if they kill, killing a minor is punished as if one has killed an adult.
Sometimes learning Bava Kamma feels like a long list of crimes and punishments.
I began Daf Yomi (Koren translation) in August of 2012 with the help of an online group that is now defunct. This blog is intended to help me structure and focus my thoughts as I grapple with the text. I am happy to connect with others who are interested in the social and halachic implications of our oral tradition. Respectful input is welcome.
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