Bava Metzia

If they ascended a tree of feeble strength, or a feeble branch, he is unclean.  How is 'a tree of feeble strength' defined? — The School of R. Jannai said: If its roots lack sufficient breadth for a quarter [kab] to be hollowed out of it.  What is the definition of a feeble branch? — Resh Lakish said: That which is hidden in the grip of the hand. We learnt elsewhere: If a man travels through grave area  over [loose] stones that can be moved, if he travels upon a man or beast of feeble strength, he is unclean.  What is meant by 'a man of feeble strength'? — Resh Lakish said: One whose knees knock together because of the rider upon him. What is meant by 'a beast of feeble strength'? — The School of R. Jannai 'said: If the rider causes it to excrete [through the strain]. The School of R. Jannai said: In respect of prayer and phylacteries [the limit of a burden is] four kabs. What is the reference in respect of prayer? — As it has been taught: If a man bears a burden on his shoulder, and the time for prayer arrives, if it is less than four kabs, he slings it over his back, and prays; if four kabs, he must place it on the ground, and then pray. What is the reference in respect of phylacteries? — As it has been taught: If a man is carrying a load on his head, and phylacteries are on his head [at the same time],  if the phylacteries are crushed under it, it is forbidden; otherwise, it is permitted. Of what burden was this said? — A burden of four kabs. R. Hiyya taught: If a man carries out manure on his head, and has phylacteries on his head [at the same time], he must not remove them to the side, nor fasten them to his loins, because such is a contemptuous treatment; but must bind then, on his arm in the place of phylacteries.  On the authority of the school of R. Shila it was said: Even their wrapper  may not be placed on the head [as a burden] whilst the phylacteries are being worn. And how much?  — Said Abaye: Even a sixteenth of a Pumbedithean weight. SAID R. JUDAH: WHAT STANDARD IS A STACK? BUT [THE STANDARD IS] IF THERE IS ENOUGH FOR RESOWING. And how much is needed for resowing? — R. Ammi said in R. Johanan's name: Four se'ahs per kor.  — R. Ammi, giving his own opinion, said: Eight se'ahs per kor. An old man said to R. Mama, son of Rabbah b. Abbuha: I will explain it to you. During R. Johanan's lifetime the land was fertile;  during that of R. Ammi it was poor. We learnt elsewhere: If the wind scattered the sheaves,  we compute how much gleanings it [that field] was likely to provide, and so much must be given to the poor. R. Simeon b. Gamaliel said: The poor must be given the measure for resowing.  And how much is that? — When R. Dimi came,  he said in the name of R. Eleazar — others state, in the name of R. Johanan: Four kabs per kor. R. Jeremiah propounded: Does that mean, for a kor that is sown, or for a kor that is harvested?  [Further, if it means for a kor that is sown,] is it for hand sowing or by oxen?  — Come and hear: For when Rabin came, he said in the name of R. Abbahu in the name of R. Eleazar — others say, in the name of R. Johanan: Four kabs for a kor of seed. But the question still remains: for hand sowing or by oxen? The problem remains unsolved. MISHNAH. IF A MAN LEASES A FIELD FROM HIS NEIGHBOUR, AND IT [THE CROP] IS EATEN BY GRASSHOPPERS, OR BLASTED [BY TEMPEST], IF IT WAS A WIDESPREAD EPIDEMIC,  HE CAN DEDUCT FROM THE RENTAL; IF IT WAS NOT A WIDESPREAD EPIDEMIC, HE MAY NOT DEDUCT FROM THE RENTAL. R. JUDAH SAID: IF HE LEASED IT ON A MONEY RENTAL,  THEN IN BOTH CASES HE MAY MAKE NO DEDUCTIONS FROM THE RENTAL. GEMARA. How far must it extend to be called a widespread epidemic? — Rab Judah said: E.g., if the greater part of the plain [in which this field lay] was blasted.  'Ulla said: If four fields, on the four sides thereof, were blasted. 'Ulla said: They propounded in the West [sc. the academies of Palestine]: What if one furrow over the entire length was blasted? What if one furrow was left [unblasted] over their entire length?  What if pits lay between?  What if they were separated by a field of fodder?