Si uno encuentra libros, los lee una vez cada treinta días, [porque se enmohecen si permanecen sin abrir. (Todos sus libros tenían forma de pergaminos)]. Y si no sabe leer, los rueda [de principio a fin, para que el aire entre]. Pero no debería aprender en ellos ab initio [lo que nunca aprendió antes, porque (en ese caso) debe irse ellos (expuestos) delante de él.] Y otro no debería leer con él. [Porque uno tira (el pergamino) hacia él, y el otro, hacia él, y se rasga.] Si encuentra una prenda, la sacude una vez cada treinta días y la extiende para su necesidad [es decir, ventilarlo para que no se coma la polilla.], pero no por su honor. (Si encontró) recipientes de plata o cobre, los usa para sus necesidades, [porque se vuelven mohosos en el suelo, donde debe guardarlos, siendo esta su "protección". Por lo tanto, los usa de vez en cuando], pero no [siempre y cuando] para desgastarlos. (Si encontró) recipientes de oro o vidrio, no podrá tocarlos hasta que venga Eliyahu. [El oro no se moldea en el suelo y el vidrio también (no). Lo que es más, se rompe fácilmente.] (Si encontró) un saco o una caja, o cualquier otra cosa que no lleve habitualmente, [es decir, algo degradante para él], no debe tomarlo, [está escrito (Deuteronomio 22: 1): "Y los ignorarán"— A veces debes ignorarlos, como en el caso de un anciano cuya dignidad no corresponde.]
Bartenura on Mishnah Bava Metzia
Once in 30 days. Since they get moldy if you delay opening them. All of their books were made like a scroll.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
English Explanation of Mishnah Bava Metzia
Introduction
Mishnah eight deals with a finder must care for the lost object while it is in his possession.
Mishnah nine deals with the definition of lost objects which the finder must return. The mishnah also deals with the finder’s rights to claim lost wages while taking care of the lost object.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Bartenura on Mishnah Bava Metzia
Roll. From their beginning to their end to allow air to enter.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
English Explanation of Mishnah Bava Metzia
This mishnah is concerned with the proper care given to lost objects. The finder has a responsibility to return the object to its owner in as best condition as possible. Therefore our mishnah tells us which things must be done with certain objects for their upkeep. In addition the mishnah lists certain things that shouldn’t be done lest the lost object is damaged.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Bartenura on Mishnah Bava Metzia
For the first time. What he has never learnt. This is because he would require leaving it [open] in front of him for longer.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
English Explanation of Mishnah Bava Metzia
If he found scrolls he must read them once every thirty days, and if he does not know how to read he should unroll them. But he may not learn from them something he has not yet learned, nor may another read with him. Scrolls (made of parchment) must be unrolled once every thirty days in order to air them out and prevent them from becoming brittle. If he wishes to read from it while he unrolls it he may. He may not however learn with another person lest they both pull the scroll and tear it. Nor may he learn something new which would require more intense and longer reading and a greater likelihood of damage to the scroll.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Bartenura on Mishnah Bava Metzia
And another should not read with him. Since this one pulls towards himself and this one pulls towards himself and it will break.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
English Explanation of Mishnah Bava Metzia
If he found clothing he must shake it out once every thirty days, and spread it out for [the clothing’s] own good, but not for his own honor. Clothing must be shaken out once every thirty days. He may spread it out in his house but he should not do so to improve the way his home looks (for his honor) but only to air out the garment.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Bartenura on Mishnah Bava Metzia
Spread it out for its sake. To allow it to air out so moths won't destroy it.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
English Explanation of Mishnah Bava Metzia
[If he found] silver or copper vessels he must use them for their own good but not so as to wear them out. [If he found] vessels of gold or glass he may not touch them until Elijah comes. Silver and copper vessels should be used occasionally to prevent rust. They may not however be used in a way that would wear them out. Glass and gold vessels, which are the most expensive and fragile, may not be used at all.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Bartenura on Mishnah Bava Metzia
For their sake. This is because they get moldy in the ground. You need to put them in the ground since this is how they are guarded. Therefore they should be used occasionally.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
English Explanation of Mishnah Bava Metzia
If he found a sack or a large basket or anything that is not generally carried about, he may not carry it. Finally, containers that are not generally carried need not be carried in order to air them out. The implication is that things that are generally carried about should be aired out.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Bartenura on Mishnah Bava Metzia
But don't wear them out. Don't use them for a long time until they wear out.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
English Explanation of Mishnah Bava Metzia
Questions for Further Thought: • How does the subject of mishnah eight differ from the subject at the end of mishnah seven?
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Bartenura on Mishnah Bava Metzia
Don't touch them. Gold doesn't get moldy in the ground. Similarly glass. Further it [glass] is easy to break.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Bartenura on Mishnah Bava Metzia
Which is undignified to pick up. Something that is degrading to him. The Torah said "And you hid yourself from them", [implication is] that sometimes you can hide, for example an elder and it's beneath his dignity.
