Se uno trova dei libri, li legge una volta ogni trenta giorni, [perché diventano ammuffiti se non vengono aperti. (Tutti i loro libri erano in forma di pergamene)]. E se non sa leggere, li fa rotolare [dall'inizio alla fine, in modo che l'aria entri.] Ma non dovrebbe imparare in essi ab initio [ciò che non ha mai imparato prima, perché (in quel caso) deve partire loro (esposti) davanti a lui.] E un altro non dovrebbe leggere con lui. [Perché uno tira (la pergamena) verso di lui, e l'altro, verso di lui, ed è strappato.] Se trova un indumento, lo scuote una volta ogni trenta giorni e lo stende per le sue necessità [es. arieggiarlo in modo che non diventi mangiato dalle tarme.], ma non per il suo onore. (Se ha trovato) vasi di argento o rame, li usa per le loro necessità, [perché diventano ammuffiti nel terreno, dove li deve tenere, essendo questi i loro "guardiani". Pertanto, li usa di volta in volta], ma non [fino a quando] per usurarli. (Se ha trovato) vasi d'oro o di vetro, non può toccarli fino all'arrivo di Eliyahu. [L'oro non si modella nel terreno, e anche il vetro (no). Inoltre, si rompe facilmente.] (Se ha trovato) un sacco o una scatola, o qualsiasi altra cosa che non porta abitualmente, [cioè qualcosa che gli sta umiliando], non dovrebbe prenderlo, [è scritto (Deuteronomio 22: 1): "E li ignorerai"— A volte devi ignorarli, come nel caso di un anziano di cui non si addice la dignità.]
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.
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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.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Bava Metzia
Roll. From their beginning to their end to allow air to enter.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Bava Metzia
Spread it out for its sake. To allow it to air out so moths won't destroy it.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Bava Metzia
But don't wear them out. Don't use them for a long time until they wear out.
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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?
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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.
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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.
