Talmud Tips

For the week ending 22 April 2017 / 26 Nisan 5777

Bava Batra 89 - 94

by Rabbi Moshe Newman
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Calibrating the Scale

Rav Yehuda said in the name of the Sage Rav, “It is forbidden for one to have in his home a dishonest weight, even if he is only using it for personal use.”

This statement is cited as halacha in Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat 231:3 & 4. Please see there for the details regarding this halacha, especially the exceptions to the rule, which are also taught in our sugya. The basic principle for these teachings is the Torah verse that enlightens us to be careful to use only correct measures: You shall not commit a perversion of justice with measures, weights or liquid measures. You shall have true scales, true weights; a true ephah, and a true hin. I am the L-rd, your G-d, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt. (Vayikra 19:35-6)

  • Bava Batra 89b

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