Bava Batra

If there is no [capital] from which [the buyer] may be reimbursed, let the ox be retained for the money;  as people say.  'from your debtor accept [even] bran in payment'! — [The dispute between Rab and Samuel] is required only [in the case] where there is [capital] from which [the buyer] may be reimbursed. [In such a case] Rab said: The deal was made under false pretences [because] one must be guided by the general practice  and most people buy [oxen] for ploughing. But Samuel said [in reply]: One is guided by the general practice in ritual, but not in monetary matters. (Mnemonic:  A woman and a slave, an ox, oxen and fruit.) An objection was raised: [If] a woman has become a widow or has been divorced, and she claims, 'I was married [as] a virgin',  and he  says [to her]. '[It was] not so, but I married you [as] a widow',  if there are witnesses that she left [her father's house for the wedding ceremony] in a curtained litter,  or with uncovered head,  she [is entitled to] a kethubah  of two hundred [zuz].  Now, the reason [why she receives two hundred zuz is] that there were witnesses but, [it may be inferred], had there been no witnesses, [she would] not [have been entitled to the higher settlement];  why should it not be said,  'Be guided by [what] most women [do]', and most women marry [as] virgins? Rabina said: Because It may be assumed [on the one hand], that the majority of women marry [as] virgins and a minority [as] widows, and, [on the other hand, that] whenever [a woman] marries [as] a virgin [the fact] is known; [consequently] since in her case [the fact] is not known,  the majority principle, as applied to her, is impaired.  [But] if, [as you have said], all who marry [as] virgins are known [to have so married], what use are witnesses? [Surely], since [the fact that] she [married as a virgin] is not known, they [must] be [regarded as] false witnesses.  But, [this is the answer], the majority of those who marry [as] virgins are known [to have so married] and since this one is not known, the majority principle in her case is impaired. Come and hear! [It has been taught:]  [If] one sold to another a slave who was found to have been a thief or a gambler,  the sale is valid.  [If the slave was found to have been] an armed robber or one prescribed by the government '  [the buyer may] say to him; 'This is yours; take him'.  Now in the case of] the first clause,