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Sheluchin veShuttafin - Chapter 4

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Sheluchin veShuttafin - Chapter 4

1When partners desire to establish a partnership, how does each one acquire the assets invested by his colleague, so that they are considered partners?1 If they desire to establish a partnership with money, each one should bring his money and place it in a common pouch. Then each of them lifts up the pouch.2אכְּשֶׁיִּרְצוּ הַשֻּׁתָּפִין לְהִשְׁתַּתֵּף, בַּמֶה יִקְנֶה כָּל אֶחָד מֵהֶן מָמוֹן חֲבֵרוֹ לְהִשְׁתַּתֵּף בּוֹ? אִם בְּמָעוֹת נִשְׁתַּתְּפוּ - יָבִיא זֶה מְעוֹתָיו וְיָבִיא זֶה מְעוֹתָיו, וְיָטִּילוּ אוֹתָן לְכִיס אֶחָד, וְיַגְבִּיהוּ אֶת הַכִּיס שְׁנֵיהֶם.
If, however, they composed a legal document detailing the partnership3 and had witnesses testify that they both performed a kinyan chalifin that each will bring 100 zuz for the partnership, the agreement is not binding and the partnership has not yet been established, for money is not acquired through chalifin.4אֲבָל אִם כָּתְבוּ שְׁטָר, וְהֵעִידוּ עֵדִים, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁקָּנוּ מִיַּד שְׁנֵיהֶם שֶׁיָּבִיא זֶה מֵאָה וְזֶה מֵאָה, וְיִשְׁתַּתְּפוּ בָּהֶן - לֹא קָנוּ, וַעֲדַיִן לֹא נַעֲשׂוּ שֻׁתָּפִין, שֶׁאֵין הַמַּטְבֵּעַ נִקְנֶה בַּחֲלִיפִין.
Therefore, if they established their partnership with regard to other movable property, when they entered into a kinyan that one would bring his barrel of wine and the other his jug of honey and they would become partner, the partnership is established in this manner.לְפִיכָךְ, אִם נִשְׁתַּתְּפוּ בִּשְׁאָר מִטַּלְטְלִין, כֵּיוָן שֶׁקָּנוּ מִיָּדָם שֶׁיָּבִיא זֶה חָבִיתוֹ שֶׁל יַיִן וְזֶה כַּדּוֹ שֶׁל דְבַשׁ, וַהֲרֵי נִשְׁתַּתְּפוּ בָּהֶן - נַעֲשׂוּ שֻׁתָּפִין בָּהֶן.
Similarly, if they mixed their produce together5 or hired a property in partnership, and one left the jug and the other the barrel with which they desired to act as partners,6 the partnership is established.וְכֵן אִם עֵרְבוּ פֵּרוֹתֵיהֶן, אוֹ שֶׁשָּׂכְרוּ מָקוֹם בְּשֻׁתָּפוּת וְהִנִּיחַ זֶה כַּדּוֹ וְזֶה חָבִיתוֹ שֶׁנִּשְׁתַּתְּפוּ בָּהֶן - הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ שֻׁתָּפִין.
The general principle is: All the means of acquisition that a purchaser employs to acquire property7 can be used by partners to acquire the assets that are contributed to the partnership.כְּלָלוֹ שֶׁל דָּבָר: בְּכָל הַדְּרָכִים שֶׁקּוֹנֶה הַלּוֹקֵחַ, בְּאוֹתָן הַדְּרָכִים עַצְמָן קוֹנִין הַשֻּׁתָּפִין זֶה מִזֶּה הַמָּמוֹן הַמֻּטָּל בֵּינֵיהֶם לְהִשְׁתַּתֵּף בּוֹ.
2When craftsmen join together in a professional partnership, even though they perform a kinyan with each other they are not considered partners.בהָאֻמָּנִין שֶׁנִּשְׁתַּתְּפוּ בְּאֻמָּנוּת, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁקָּנוּ מִיָּדָם - אֵינָן שֻׁתָּפִין.
What is implied? If two tailors or two weavers stipulate between themselves that whatever either of them earns will be divided between them equally, they are not considered partners.8 For a person cannot transfer ownership to a colleague of an article that does not yet exist.9כֵּיצַד? שְׁנֵי חַיָּטִים אוֹ שְׁנֵי אוֹרְגִים שֶׁהִתְנוּ בֵּינֵיהֶם, שֶׁכָּל שֶׁיִּקַּח זֶה וְזֶה בִּמְלַאכְתּוֹ, יִהְיֶה בֵּינֵיהֶן בְּשָׁוֶה - אֵין כָּאן שֻׁתָּפוּת כְּלָל, שֶׁאֵין אָדָם מַקְנֶה לַחֲבֵרוֹ דָּבָר שֶׁלֹּא בָא לָעוֹלָם.
If, however, they purchase the cloth for the garments with their common funds, sew them and sell them, or purchase the woof and warp with their common funds, weave garments and sell them, and a partnership has been established through the use of the money,10 they are partners. Whatever they earn as payment for their work and their commercial activity is divided equally.אֲבָל אִם הָיוּ לוֹקְחִין הַבְּגָדִים בְּמָּמוֹן עַצְמָן וְתוֹפְרִין אוֹתָן וּמוֹכְרִין, וְלוֹקְחִין הַשְּׁתִי וְהָעֵרֶב מִמָּעוֹתֵיהֶן וְאוֹרְגִים וּמוֹכְרִין, וְנִשְׁתַּתְּפוּ בַּמָּמוֹן שֶׁלּוֹקְחִין בּוֹ - הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ שֻׁתָּפִין, וְכָל מַה שֶׁיַּרְוִיחוּ בִּשְׂכַר מְלַאכְתָּן וּבְמַשָּׂאָן וּמַתָּנָן, הֲרֵי הוּא לָאֶמְצָע.
3When three partner enter into a partnership, one investing a maneh11 100 zuz, the second 200 zuz and the third 300, and they all12 do business with the money,13 whether they profit or lose, the profit or loss is divided among them according to their number, not according to the size of their investment.14גהַשֻּׁתָּפִין שֶׁהִטִּילוּ לְכִיס זֶה מָנֶה וְזֶה מָאתַיִם וְזֶה שְׁלוֹשׁ מֵאוֹת, וְנִתְעַסְּקוּ כֻּלָּן בַּמָּמוֹן, וּפָחֲתוּ אוֹ הוֹתִירוּ - הַשָּׂכָר אוֹ הַפְּחָת בֵּינֵיהֶם בְּשָׁוֶה לְפִי מִנְיָנָם, וְלֹא לְפִי הַמָּעוֹת.
Even if they purchase a bull for slaughter in which instance, if they slaughter it, each one of them would take a portion of its flesh according to the size of his investment. If they sell the bull while it is alive and profit or lose, the profit or loss is divided equally among the partners.15וְאַפִלּוּ לָקְחוּ שׁוֹר לִטְבִיחָה, שֶׁאִלּוּ טְבָחוּהוּ הָיָה נוֹטֵל כָּל אֶחָד מִבְּשָׂרוֹ כְּפִי מְעוֹתָיו - אִם מְכָרוּהוּ חַי וּפָחֲתוּ אוֹ הוֹתִירוּ, הַשָּׂכָר אוֹ הַפְּחָת לָאֶמְצָע.
When does the above apply? When they bought and sold with the money of the partnership. If, however, the money still exists within the treasury of the partnership, and was not spent, but its value rose or dropped because of currency fluctuations16 depending on the ruling authority or the local populace, the profit or the loss is divided according to the amount of money invested.17בַּמֶּה דְּבָרִים אֲמוּרִים? כְּשֶׁנָּשְׂאוּ וְנָתְנוּ בַּמָּעוֹת שֶׁנִּשְׁתַּתְּפוּ בָּהֶן. אֲבָל אִם הַמָּעוֹת קַיָּמִין, וַעֲדַיִן לֹא הוֹצִיאוּ אוֹתָן, וּפָחֲתוּ אוֹ הוֹתִירוּ מֵחֲמַת הַמַּטְבֵּעַ שֶׁשִּׁנָּה הַמֶּלֶךְ אוֹ אַנְשֵׁי הַמְּדִינָה - חוֹלְקִין הַשָּׂכָר אוֹ הַהֶפְסֵד לְפִי הַמָּעוֹת.
When does the above apply? When the partners entered into the partnership without making a specific agreement. lf, however, it was stipulated that the person who invested 100 zuz should receive three fourth of the profit,18 and the person who invested 200 one fourth, and if they lose the person who would be given three fourths of the profit would not suffer more than one fourth of the loss, and the one who would gain one fourth of the profit should suffer three fourth of the loss, the money is divided according to their stipulation. For every stipulation made with regard to financial matters is binding.בַּמֶּה דְּבָרִים אֲמוּרִים? בִּסְתָם. אֲבָל אִם הִתְנוּ שֶׁיִּטֹּל בַּעַל הַמֵּאָה שְׁלוֹשָׁה רְבָעִים מִן הַשָּׂכָר, וְיִטֹּל בַּעַל הַמָּאתַיִם רְבִיעַ, וְאִם נִפְחֲתוּ - לֹא יִפְחֹת זֶה שֶׁיִּטֹּל שְׁלוֹשָׁה רִבְעֵי הַשָּׂכָר אֶלָא רְבִיעַ הַהֶפְסֵד, וְיַפְסִיד זֶה שֶׁנּוֹטֵל רְבִיעַ הַשָּׂכָר שְׁלוֹשָׁה רְבָעִים מִן הַפְּחָת - הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ חוֹלְקִין כְפִי מַה שֶׁהִתְנוּ, שֶׁכָּל תְּנַאי שֶׁבְּמָמוֹן קַיָּם.
4When partners make a stipulation that they continue in the partnership for a specific duration of time, each of them can prevent his colleague from dissolving the partnership. Neither one can withdraw until the set time arrives or the money in the partnership is exhausted. Neither can take his portion of the principal or of the profit until the end of that time.19דהַשֻׁתָּפִין שֶׁהִתְנוּ בֵּינֵיהֶם שֶׁיַּעַמְדוּ בְּשֻׁתָּפוּת עַד זְמָן קָצוּב - כָּל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד מֵהֶן מְעַכֵּב עַל חֲבֵרוֹ, וְאֵינוֹ יָכוֹל לַחֲלֹק עַד שֶׁיַּגִּיעַ הַזְּמָן אוֹ עַד שֶׁיִּכְלֶה מָמוֹן הַשֻּׁתָּפוּת, וְאֵין אֶחָד מֵהֶן יָכוֹל לִטֹּל חֶלְקוֹ מִן הַקֶּרֶן וְלֹא בַּשָּׂכָר, עַד סוֹף הַזְּמָן.
If they established a partnership without making a stipulation and without establishing a set time, they may dissolve the partnership whenever any of them desires.20 This one should take his portion of the merchandise from the partnership, and this one should take his portion.נִשְׁתַּתְּפוּ סְתָם וְלֹא קָבְעוּ לָהֶם זְמָן - הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ חוֹלְקִין כָּל זְמָן שֶׁיִּרְצֶה אֶחָד מֵהֶן, וְזֶה נוֹטֵל חֶלְקוֹ מִן הַסְּחוֹרָה וְזֶה נוֹטֵל חֶלְקוֹ.
If the merchandise is of the type that cannot be divided,21 or if making the division would cause a loss, the article should be sold and the money should be divided.22וְאִם לֹא הָיָה בְּאוֹתָהּ הַסְּחוֹרָה דִּין חֲלֻקָּה, אוֹ הָיָה בַּחֲלֻקָּתָהּ הֶפְסֵד - הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ מוֹכְרִין אוֹתָהּ, וְחוֹלְקִין אֶת הַדָּמִים.
If there was a time when the merchandise of the partnership would ordinarily be old,23 each partner can prevent his colleague from dissolving the partnership until the merchandise will be sold at the known time for such merchandise to be sold. Neither can take his portion of the principal or of the profit until the time of the division, unless a stipulation was made between them.הָיָה זְמָן יָדוּעַ לִמְכִירַת אוֹתָהּ הַסְּחוֹרָה - יֵשׁ לְכָל אֶחָד מֵהֶן לְעַכֵּב שֶׁלֹּא יַחְלֹקוּ עַד שֶׁתִּמָּכֵר הַסְּחוֹרָה בִּזְמַן הַיָּדוּעַ לִמְכִירָתָהּ. וְאֵין אֶחָד נוֹטֵל מִן הַקֶּרֶן וְלֹא מִן הָרֶוַח, עַד זְמַן הַחֲלֻקָּה, אֶלָא אִם הִתְנוּ בֵּינֵיהֶם.
If the partnership was owed a debt by others one partner cannot tell the other: “Let us not dissolve the partnership until we collect all the debt that are owed to us.” Instead, the assets of the partnership should be divided. When the debts are repaid,24 each one should be given his portion.הָיָה לָהֶם חוֹב אֵצֶל אֲחֵרִים - אֵינוֹ יָכוֹל לוֹמַר לַחֲבֵרוֹ 'לֹא נַחְלֹק עַד שֶׁנִּגְבֶּה כָּל חוֹב שֶׁיֵּשׁ לָנוּ', אֶלָא חוֹלְקִין, וּכְשֶׁיִּפְרְעוּ הַחוֹבוֹת, יִטֹּל כָּל אֶחָד חֶלְקוֹ.
The following rules apply when, by contrast, the partnership owes a debt to another person. If they are not responsible for each other,25 they should divide the assets of the partnership, and when the time for the debt comes, each one should pay his portion of the debt.26 If they are responsible for each other, each one can prevent the other from dissolving the partnership until the time when the promissory note comes due and the debt is repaid. Why is each one given this right? Because one colleague can tell the other: “Since each of us can be required to pay the entire promissory note, let us continue to do business with the money until the date of payment comes.”הָיָה עֲלֵיהֶן חוֹב לְאַחֵר - אִם אֵינָן אַחְרָאִין זֶה לְזֶה, חוֹלְקִין; וְלִכְשֶׁיַּגִּיעַ זְמָן הַחוֹב לְפָרְעוֹ, יִתֵּן כָּל אֶחָד חֶלְקוֹ. וְאִם הֵן אַחְרָאִין - כָּל אֶחָד מֵהֶן מְעַכֵּב לַחֲלֹק, עַד שֶׁיַּגִּיעַ זְמָן הַשְּׁטָר לְפָרְעוֹ וְיִפְרְעוּ הַחוֹב. וְלָמָּה מְעַכֵּב? שֶׁהֲרֵי חֲבֵרוֹ אוֹמֵר לוֹ: הוֹאִיל וְכָל אֶחָד מִמֶּנּוּ חַיָּב לְשַׁלֵּם כָּל הַשְּׁטָר, נִשָּׂא וְנִתֵּן בְּדָמִים אֵלּוּ עַד שֶׁיַּגִּיעַ הַזְּמָן.
If his colleague tells him: “Let us divide the assets, and you can receive all the money for the promissory note. Do business by yourself and pay the note when it comes due,” the other colleague may still impede, saying “Maybe I will lose, for two people make greater profit than one.”27אָמַר לוֹ חֲבֵרוֹ 'נַחְלֹק, וְטֹל אַתָּה דָּמִים כְּנֶגֶד כָּל הַשְּׁטָר, וַעֲשֵׂה בָּהֶן סְחוֹרָה לְעַצְמְךָ, וּתְשַׁלֵּם כָּל הַשְּׁטָר בִּזְמַנּוֹ' - יֵשׁ לוֹ לְעַכֵּב עֲדַיִן וְלוֹמַר לוֹ 'שֶׁמָּא נַפְסִיד, וְהַשְּׁנַיִם מַרְוִיחִין יָתֵר מִן הָאֶחָד'.
5When a person gives a colleague money to go to a different country and buy merchandise, buy produce to sell as merchandise, or buy and sell merchandise while sitting in a store, the person who took the money may not retract and return the money to his partner until he goes to the place where the stipulation was made and returns, buys the produce and sells it or sits in the store.28 The rationale is that this is considered as if he fixed a time to sell the merchandise.29ההַנּוֹתֵן לַחֲבֵרוֹ מָמוֹן לֵילֵךְ בּוֹ לִמְדִינָה פְּלוֹנִית לִסְחוֹרָה, אוֹ לִקְנוֹת לוֹ פֵּרוֹת לִסְחוֹרָה, אוֹ לֵישֵׁב בּוֹ בְּחֲנוּת - אֵינוֹ יָכוֹל לַחֲזֹר בּוֹ וּלְהַחֲזִיר הַמָּמוֹן מִיַּד הַשֻּׁתָּף, עַד שֶׁיֵּלֵךְ לִמְקוֹם שֶׁהִתְנוּ וְיַחֲזֹר, אוֹ שֶׁיִּקְנֶה אוֹתָן הַפֵּרוֹת וְיִמְכֹּר, אוֹ עַד שֶׁיֵּשֵׁב בְּחֲנוּת. שֶׁזֶּה כְּמִי שֶׁקָּבַע זְמָן הוּא.

Quiz Yourself on Sheluchin veShuttafin Chapter 4

Footnotes
1.

As stated in Hilchot Mechirah 5, a verbal agreement to perform a particular act is considered insubstantial and is not binding. To make the partnership a binding agreement, each partner must perform a kinyan to acquire a share formally in the assets contributed by his colleague. Note, however, the Bayit Chadash (Choshen Mishpat 176), which quotes the opinion of the Mordechai, who maintains that a verbal agreement is sufficient to establish a partnership.

2.

The Kessef Mishneh and Sefer Me’irat Einayim 176:5 quote the opinion of the Tur, which states that it is sufficient for each one to lift up the money belonging to his colleague.

3.

I.e., the document was merely a description of their agreement. If, however, they intended to establish their partnership with a legal document, the partnership is binding (Sefer Me’irat Einayim 176:4).

4.

See Hilchot Mechirah 6:1.

5.

The Kessef Mishneh questions the Rambam’s statements, stating that mixing produce together is not a kinyan. He therefore explains that after the produce was mixed together, each of the partners lifted it up. Sefer Me’irat Einayim 176:8, however, differs and maintains that mixing the produce itself is considered a kinyan. For generally a person keeps his own property separate; by mixing it together with a colleague’s, he indicates that he is granting the colleague a share. (The commentaries have questioned the argument of Sefer Me’irat Einayim, noting that if so, the same concept should apply with regard to the money mentioned in the first clause.)

6.

For in this instance, the produce is acquired by virtue of its presence in the person’s property. (See Hilchot Mechirah 3:7.)
Ketzot HaChoshen 176:1 notes that when Bava Batra 84b states that a person cannot acquire property belonging to a neighbor by virtue of its presence in a courtyard whose ownership he shares with him, this is speaking about a situation where a person desires to acquire property for his own self. This ruling, however, does not represent a contradiction, for the situations are different. In Bava Batra, the intent is that the article in question should leave the domain of the previous owner and enter the domain of the new owner. For this to be accomplished, it must leave the domain of the previous owner entirely. In the present instance, by contrast, the partner is not seeking to acquire the property entirely for himself. On the contrary, he is seeking to enter into a partnership. Therefore, placing the produce in a property purchased for the partnership is sufficient (Netivot HaMishpat, Be’urim 176:2).

7.

I.e., using the type of kinyan appropriate for that type of property.

8.

The Ra’avad and the Tur differ with the Rambam with regard to this view and maintain that a person may obligate his person with a kinyan as a servant does. In a similar manner, we find that a person may say: “May [the work of] my hands be consecrated to their Maker.”
The Hagahot Maimoniot quotes a more lenient view, stating that even if the partners did not perform a kinyan, when they make a sincere commitment to each other, their word is binding. The Shulchan Aruch (Choshen Mishpat 176:3) quotes the Rambam’s ruling, while the Ramah mentions the other views.

9.

See Hilchot Mechirah 22:1.

10.

As explained in the previous halachah.

11.

100 zuz.

12.

If, however, one partner is not involved in the work of the partnership and just invests, different laws apply, as the Rambam states in Chapter 6.

13.

In contrast to the latter clauses of the Halachah, which speak of instances where the money remains intact.

14.

Sefer Me’irat Einayim 176:15 explains one rationale for this ruling. Since the partners did not make a stipulation at the outset, one may assume that the partner investing the larger sum of money thought that the other partner’s business acumen was greater than his, and it was worth granting him an equal share because of it. However, that this approach does not fit the Rambam’s logic. According to the Rambam, the reason is that while the bull is alive, all of its organs are necessary for it to continue living, thus the profit comes from all of the partner’s shares together. Hence, it should be divided among them equally (Sefer Me’irat Einayim).
According to the Rambam, he explains, the reason is that while the bull is alive, all of its organs are necessary for it to continue living, thus the profit comes from all of the partner’s shares together. Hence, it should be divided among them equally.

15.

The Ra’avad differs with the Rambam, stating that although his ruling does apply when one hires out a bull for work (i.e., with regard to profit), if one sells the bull and there is a loss, that loss should be divided according to the ratio of the investments made by the partners. The Shulchan Aruch (Choshen Mishpat 176:5), however, quotes the Rambam’s ruling.

16.

For even if the money had remained in the possession of its original owner, its price would have risen or fallen accordingly. The fact that he entered into the partnership is of no consequence in this regard (Sefer Me’irat Einayim 176:16).

17.

Certainly, this ruling applies if a partnership was established with regard to produce, and before the produce was sold the partners decided to dissolve the partnership. Each one is given a share according to the degree of money he invested [Tur and Ramah (Choshen Mishpat 176:5)].

18.

Because of his superior business acumen.

19.

The Ramah (Choshen Mishpat 176:15) states that even if one of the partners has been negligent in dealing with the partnership’s assets, the other partners may not arbitrarily dissolve the partnership. See Chapter 5, Halachah 9, with regard to how the assets are divided.

20.

From Bava Metzia 31b, 69a, it is apparent that one partner can decide to dissolve the partnership without even notifying the other.

21.

E. g., an animal that would die if divided, or an article that would lose its value if divided. See Hilchot Sh’chenim 1:4.

22.

The Siftei Cohen 176:29 states that if either of the partners desires, instead of selling the merchandise to another person, they can tell the other partner: gud o iggud, “Either purchase [my share at this price] or I will purchase it from you.” (See Hilchot Sh’chenim 1:2 and notes.)

23.

It is local custom to sell a particular type of merchandise at a given time.

24.

Note, however, the Netivot HaMishpat, Biurim 176:1 who states that the Ram bam is speaking about debts that have already become due. If the debts have not become due, the partnership may not be divided. See, however, the Ramah (Choshen Mishpat 176:20), who writes that the promissory notes can be divided by the evaluation of the court or through the principle of gud o iggud.

25.

I.e., the terms of the loan specify that each of the partners is personally responsible for only half the loan. See Hilchot Mechirah 25:9.

26.

Since the debts are owed by the partners individually, neither one is responsible to the other.

27.

The commentaries on Bava Metzia 105a explain that the intent is that the fortunes of one individual will not succeed to the same degree as the fortunes of two people.

28.

Although a worker can quit in the middle of the day (Hilchot Sechirut, Chapter 9). Similarly, a person who manages the investment in a heter iska may quit whenever he desires [Tur and Shulchan Aruch (Choshen Mishpat 176:23)].

29.

As explained in the previous halachah.

The Mishneh Torah was the Rambam's (Rabbi Moses ben Maimon) magnum opus, a work spanning hundreds of chapters and describing all of the laws mentioned in the Torah. To this day it is the only work that details all of Jewish observance, including those laws which are only applicable when the Holy Temple is in place. Participating in one of the annual study cycles of these laws (3 chapters/day, 1 chapter/day, or Sefer Hamitzvot) is a way we can play a small but essential part in rebuilding the final Temple.
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