Bava Metzia

MISHNAH. IF A HOUSE [I.E.. THE GROUND FLOOR] AND AN UPPER STOREY, BELONGING TO TWO,  COLLAPSED, BOTH MUST SHARE [PROPORTIONATELY] IN THE TIMBER, STONES, AND EARTH.  WE ALSO SEE WHICH STONES [I.E., BRICKS] ARE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN BROKEN.  IF ONE [OF THEM] RECOGNISED SOME OF HIS STONES, HE CAN TAKE THEM, BUT THEY ARE COUNTED IN [HIS SHARE]. GEMARA. Since it is stated, WE SEE [etc.], it follows that it is possible to gauge whether it fell through pressure or a shock. If so, in the first clause, why do they divide? Let us see: if it fell through a shock, then [the timber etc. of] the upper storey was broken; if through pressure, the lower portion was damaged!  — It is meant that it collapsed at night. Then let us examine it in the morning!  — It [the debris] had been cleared away. Then let us see who had cleared it away, and ask them! — Public [workers] had cleared it away, and departed. Then let us see in whose possession they are [now] situated, so that the other becomes the claimant, upon whom the onus of proof will lie! — They [the materials] are now in a courtyard belonging to both, or in the street. Alternatively, partners in such matters are not particular with each other. IF ONE RECOGNISED etc. Now, what does the other plead. If he agrees, then it is obvious. If not, why should this one take them? Hence it must mean that he replied. 'I do not know.' Shall we say that this refutes R. Nahman? For it has been stated: [If A says to B.] 'You owe me a maneh,' and B pleads. 'I do not know': R. Huna and Rab Judah rule that he must pay; R. Nahman and R. Johanan say: He is not liable! — It is as R. Nahman answered [elsewhere]: E.g., there is a dispute between them involving an oath; so here too, there is a dispute between them involving an oath. What is meant by a dispute involving an oath? — As Raba's dictum. For Raba said: [If A says to B,] 'You owe me a maneh,' to which he replies. 'I [certainly] owe you fifty zuz, but as for the rest, I do not know,' since he cannot swear, he must pay [all]. BUT THEY ARE COUNTED IN HIS SHARE. Raba thought this meant in his share of broken materials,  thus proving that since he says. 'I do not know,' his position is considerably worsened. Said Abaye to him: On the contrary, the position of the other should be much worse; for since he knows only of these, but of no more, he should be entitled to no more, and the other should receive all the rest! — But, said Abaye, it means in his share of whole materials. if so, what does it [his knowledge] profit him? — In respect of extra wide bricks, or well — kneaded clay. MISHNAH. [IN THE CASE OF] A HOUSE AND AN UPPER STOREY, IF THE UPPER STOREY WAS BROKEN THROUGH, AND THE LANDLORD REFUSES TO MEND IT, THE INHABITANT OF THE UPPER STOREY CAN DESCEND AND DWELL BELOW, UNTIL HE REPAIRS THE TOP. R. JOSE SAID: THE LOWER ONE MUST PROVIDE THE TIKRAH  AND THE UPPER ONE THE PLASTERING. GEMARA. 'BROKEN THROUGH:' over what area?  — Rab said: The greater part; Samuel said: Four [handbreadths]. 'Rab said: The greater part.' but not only four [handbreadths],  because one can dwell partly below and partly above.  'Samuel said: Four [handbreadths]:' one cannot dwell partly below and partly above. How is it meant? If he [the landlord] had said to him, '[I rent you] this storey, it is gone.  But if he simply stated, 'A storey,' then let him rent him another! — Raba said: It arises only if he stated, 'This garret, which I rent you, as long as it stands, go up thither; and when it comes down [through the weather], descend you too [to the ground floor].' If so, why state it? — But, said R. Ashi, it means that he said to him, 'This storey which is upon this house, I rent to you;' thus he pledged the house for the storey. And this is in accordance with what Rabin son of R. Adda related in R. Isaac's name: It once happened that a man said to his neighbour. 'I sell you a hanging vine which is over this peach tree,' and the peach tree was later uprooted.  When the matter came before R. Hiyya, he said to him: You are bound to put up a peach tree for him, as long as the vine is in existence. R. Abba b. Memel propounded: