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Channels Yeshiva Talmud for Beginners

Talmud Study - Lesson 9

Introducing Rav Huna's Oath

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Talmud Study - Lesson 9: Introducing Rav Huna's Oath

We begin this class with exploring possible resolutions for the Talmud's "unresolved" questions, gleaned from the writings of medieval codifiers. Following this, we begin a new segment of the Talmud, which discusses the famous institution known as "Rav Huna's Oath."
Handouts:
 Lesson 9 Handout  
Lesson 9: Talmud Text  
Lesson 9: Talmud Text in English  
Related Text: Bava Metzia 34b
Audio: Listen to Audio | Download this MP3
Topics: Bava Metzia, Talmud
By Eliezer Wolf
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14 Comments
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Stanley August 11, 2019

Etymology of Teiku –תיקו תיקו In Ivrit the word is used all the time as " draw" I am curious to know why the word for draw was not mentioned in possible Etymology of Teiku –תיקו Reply

kameo The Netherlands January 24, 2011

Keeping in touch Looking forward to lesson 10, if Rabbi Wolf would not lecture and i had to read it for myself once again i would not be able to know about all of this.

It is a very nice way of analyzing. Reply

Kayo Tokyo, Japan June 27, 2010

Very Clear Compared to Lesson 7 and 8,
It was not so difficult to follow and clear cut. I enjoyed the class very much. The statement at the end of class was very nice.
I will try to remind myself it 24/7. Thank you. Reply

Manuel Gwiazda Buenos Aires, Argentina June 19, 2010

Another idea How about a caption ? Reply

Maria Martinez Monte Vista, Colorado June 18, 2010

Talmud for the Beginner Lesson 9 Rabbi Wolf, I enjoyed your lecture very much and I am looking forward to Lesson 10. Shabbat Shalom. Reply

Eliezer Wolf NY June 21, 2010

To Luther We will be continuing these classes for a few more weeks, after which we will have concluded the Talmud's exposition of our particular Mishnah. In the final class (for this topic), I will give a review class, in which we will briefly review all that we have studied.

Stay tuned. Reply

Stanley August 11, 2019
in response to Eliezer Wolf:

Thanks then what? What other similar classes do you teach Reply

luther Nashman ny, ny/usa June 18, 2010

future lectures------- Rabbi Wolf What are the topics on tap for the rest of the course lectures? I suggest that the last lecture be strictly a summary one with handout charts listing all the different variations of guardianship that have been discussed so far. Reply

Eliezer Wolf NY June 21, 2010

To William Just because the Talmud doesn't provide an answer, does not essentially mean that there is no Torah resolution for that question. In fact, it is only sensible that the Torah has an answer for every question that can be raised, whether practical or theoretical.

As we discussed in the beginning of this class, there are several parameters and guidelines that can be followed when encountering a "teiku" in the Talmud. Regarding our questions, we discussed two approaches offered by the codifiers.

You are correct, that in many instances, we use the Judaic legal guidelines to guide us how to rule in cases of doubt - "majority rules" being one of those guidelines. And there are plenty more, as we discussed in our class. Reply

William Ganz Miami Beach, Fl/USA June 18, 2010

Unresolved Questions Jewish Court Resolution If the Talmud has the lqw question unresolved how does the Jewish Court present in a Jewish Community decide these cases.

Do the three Rabbis decide by majority decision to resolve these questions.

or
Do the Rabbi say it is unresolved and we cannot provide you with a Jewish Ruling?
If it is unresolved by the Jewish Court how can this court function? Reply

Eliezer Wolf NY June 23, 2010

To Luther Interesting questions.

1) The classic oaths spoken about in the Bible and the Talmud don't really exist today; we don't allow litigants to swear in G-d's name any more, for obvious reasons. Nowadays, the court will attempt to adjudicate the case with witnesses, or the court will work with the litigants to reach a mutually acceptable settlement.

2) Yes, as our Mishnah rules.

3) The lender is the 'owner' over the loan that he lent to the borrower. He is also a 'guardian' over the collateral deposited in his possession by the borrower.

Our Talmud is not addressing the laws regarding lenders and borrowers. That is extensively explored elsewhere. Our Talmud is only interested in discussing the lender's role as guardian over the collateral, which is what is relevant to our subject. As we discussed, his status is either that of an unpaid guardian, or a paid guardian - seemingly our Talmud opines with the position that he is considered a paid guardian. Reply

luther Nashman new york, ny /usa June 17, 2010

Lesson 9 questions Very interesting lecture. I have three questions for Rabbi Wolf.1) What is the law in present day Israel regarding who must take an oath in any case being ajudicated? 2) I thought that if the guardian pays the owner for whatever reason, he obtains ownership and retains all future penalty rights. Is this correct ? 3) In the complicated case where the lender is both owner and guardian, does the same rule apply for the portion that is considered under guardianship? " Neither a borrower or lender be" seems to be good advice. Reply

Jon Belmont, MA June 16, 2010

Idea Use a whiteboard to help explain these complicated topics! Reply

Richard Raff Bonney Lake, WA June 16, 2010

Talmud Study - Lesson 9 Great class Rabbi Eliezer Wolf! I knew you wouldn't leave us beginners stuck on questions. What I can take from this class was that one way or the other, we all must come to justice, alive or dead. Thank you. Reply

Talmud for Beginners
These Talmud classes will be studying and analyzing the third chapter of tractate Bava Metzia, which presents the Jewish approach in many matters of civil law, particularly vis-à-vis the different degrees of liability assumed by guardians, renters and borrowers.
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