Kommentar zu Bava Batra 2:7
מַרְחִיקִין אֶת הָאִילָן מִן הָעִיר עֶשְׂרִים וְחָמֵשׁ אַמָּה, וּבְחָרוּב וּבְשִׁקְמָה חֲמִשִּׁים אַמָּה. אַבָּא שָׁאוּל אוֹמֵר, כָּל אִילַן סְרָק, חֲמִשִּׁים אַמָּה. אִם הָעִיר קָדְמָה, קוֹצֵץ וְאֵינוֹ נוֹתֵן דָּמִים. וְאִם הָאִילָן קָדַם, קוֹצֵץ וְנוֹתֵן דָּמִים. סָפֵק זֶה קָדַם, סָפֵק זֶה קָדַם, קוֹצֵץ וְאֵינוֹ נוֹתֵן דָּמִים:
Ein Baum ist fünfundzwanzig Ellen von einer Stadt entfernt [ein offener Ort vor einer Stadt, der ihr Aussehen verbessert]. Und mit einem Johannisbrotbaum und einer Bergahorn fünfzig Ellen, [deren Laub dick ist]. Abba Saul sagt: Mit jedem fruchtlosen Baum [der das Aussehen der Stadt beeinträchtigt] fünfzig Ellen. Wenn die Stadt die erste wäre, würde er [der Stadtbesitzer] sie fällen und nicht entschädigen (der Besitzer des Baumes); und wenn der Baum zuerst wäre, würde er ihn fällen und kompensieren. Wenn es Zweifel gab (was zuerst kam), schneidet er es ab und kompensiert es nicht. [Denn da es abgeholzt werden muss, egal was zuerst kam, wird seinem Besitzer nach dem Abholzen gesagt: "Beweise, dass es zuerst da war und du bezahlt wirst."]
Bartenura on Mishnah Bava Batra
מרחיקין את האילן מן העיר – because it is beauty to the city (see Talmud Bava Batra 24b) when there is a wide expanse before it.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Bava Batra
Introduction
Mishnah seven deals with distancing trees from the city. In modern times we think of trees as beautifying a city. However, in ancient times trees were not commonly found inside the city itself. Furthermore, it was considered aesthetic for there to be empty fields surrounding the city.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Bava Batra
חרוב ושקמה – their branches are numeous.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Bava Batra
According to the anonymous opinion in section one, a regular tree must not be grown within a distance of twenty five cubits from the city, nor a carob or sycamore tree within fifty cubits. Since carob and sycamore trees have thick branches, they must be kept further away. Abba Shaul, section 1a, distinguishes between fruit and non-fruit bearing trees. Non-fruit bearing trees must be kept fifty cubits away, and assumedly, fruit bearing trees can be planted closer, as was stated in the previous clause.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Bava Batra
אילן סרק – (see Mishnah Kilayim, Chapter 6, Mishnah 5 for a detailed definition) – it is a disgrace to the city.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Bava Batra
If the town was there first, the tree shall be cut down and no compensation given; if the tree was there first it shall be cut down and compensation given. If it is in doubt which was there first, the tree shall be cut down and no compensation given. In section two we learn that if the offending tree was planted before the town was built, the tree will still be cut down, but compensation will be given to its owner. If the city was built first, the tree is cut down and no compensation is given. Since it was planted illegally, the owner does not get compensation when it is uprooted. Finally, if we are unsure which existed first, the town or the tree, no compensation is given, since as we have learned many times, in Jewish law the burden of proof is on the plaintiff. In this case the tree owner is the plaintiff suing the city for compensation. If he cannot bring proof that his tree existed before the city, he does not receive compensation.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Bava Batra
ונותן דמים – to the person who owns the city.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Bava Batra
A tree may not be grown within a distance of twenty five cubits from the town, or fifty cubits if it is a carob tree or a sycamore tree. Abba Shaul says: “Any tree that bears no fruit may not be grown within a distance of fifty cubits.” If the town was there first, the tree shall be cut down and no compensation given; if the tree was there first it shall be cut down and compensation given. If it is in doubt which was there first, the tree shall be cut down and no compensation given.
A permanent threshing floor may not be made within fifty cubits of the town. Sections one and two state that a threshing floor may not be placed less than fifty cubits from another person’s property or from the town. The reason for this prohibition was explained in the introduction.
A permanent threshing floor may not be made within fifty cubits of the town. Sections one and two state that a threshing floor may not be placed less than fifty cubits from another person’s property or from the town. The reason for this prohibition was explained in the introduction.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Bava Batra
ספק – cuts it down and he doesn’t make payment, because there was a judgment as to whether this one came first (i.e., the city) or that one came first (i.e., the tree), he cuts it down. After he cut it down, we say to the owner of the tree: “Bring proof that the tree came first and take [the money].”
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English Explanation of Mishnah Bava Batra
One may not make a permanent threshing floor within his own domain unless his ground extends fifty cubits in every direction. And he must distance it from his fellow’s plants and ploughed land so that it will not cause damage. Section 2a also restricts a person from placing a threshing floor close to his neighbor’s plants or ploughed land. Again, the chaff can be damaging to plants and can spoil ploughed land.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Bava Batra
Questions for Further Thought:
• Why does Abba Shaul allow fruit bearing trees to be planted closer to the town?
• Why does Abba Shaul allow fruit bearing trees to be planted closer to the town?
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