A deaf-mute gestures and is gestured to. [Whatever he gestures or others gesture to him and he acquiesces — all of it stands.] And Ben Betheirah says: kofetz venikfatz ["remizah" (gesturing) is with the hand or the head. "k'fitzah" is turning up the lips, as in (Job 5:16): "And iniquity has turned up (kaftzah) her mouth." "K'fitzah is not as distinct as remizah.] with metaltelin (chattel) [i.e., if he sold chattel. The halachah is not in accordance with Ben Betheirah.] Peutoth [young children of seven or eight, if they are bright and conversant with buying and selling; or children of nine or ten, even if they are not that bright] — their buying is buying and their selling is selling with metaltelin [and their gift is a gift, whether they be healthy or shechiv mera (at the point of death); whether it be a large or a small gift.]
Bartenura on Mishnah Gittin
רומז ונרמז – what her [i.e., the deaf-mute] gesticulates or that others gesticulate to him and is satisfied by it, everything exists. Gesticulation is with one’s hands or with one’s head. Mimic intimation [is accomplished] by the curving of the lips, as it says (Job 5:16): “[So there is hope for the wretched;] the mouth of wrongdoing is stopped.” But mimic intimation is not recognized as is gesticulation.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Gittin
Introduction
This mishnah has to do with transactions done by two categories of people considered to legally lack “da’at”, intelligence minors and deaf-mutes. As we see from this mishnah, the rabbis seem well aware that well deaf-mutes had great difficulties communicating, they nevertheless could make their wishes known.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Gittin
במטלטלין – if he sold movables, and the Halakha is not according to Ben Beteira.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Gittin
A deaf-mute can gesture and be gestured at [and thereby conduct transactions]. Ben Betera says that he may make lip-motions, if the transaction is of movable property. If a deaf-mute wishes to sell or purchase an object he may do so by gesturing or by being gestured at. People who can speak must verbalize their commands. Since this is impossible for a deaf-mute, gestures are sufficient. Ben Betera is more lenient and even allows even lip-motions, as long as the transaction is only with movable property, i.e. not land. To buy or sell land he would need to make a full gesture.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Gittin
הפעוטות – minors at the age of seven or eight, if he is sharp/bright and knows the nature of business relationships, or if he the age of nine or ten and is not so sharp.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Gittin
The purchase or sale done by young children in movable property is valid. Young children can sell or purchase movable property. The Talmud explains that this is a form of “tikkun olam”. If children could not sell or buy things they would not be able to earn their keep, and until modern times children had to work to help support their families (in good situations) or support themselves (in much worse situations).
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Bartenura on Mishnah Gittin
מקחן מקח וממכרן ממכר במטלטלין – and their gifts are gifts, whether it is a gift of a healthy individual or the gift of someone on his death-bed, whether it is a large gift or a small gift.
