Bava Metzia

Let him [the shipowner] say, 'Bring me that wine, and I will provide a ship!' — Said R. Papa: It is possible only in the case of 'This ship' and 'This wine'.  But in the case of an unspecified ship and unspecified wine, they must divide. Our Rabbis taught: If one hires a ship and unloads it in mid-route, he must pay him for half the journey, and he [the owner] has nothing but resentment against him. What are the circumstances? Shall we say, that he can find someone to whom to hire it? Why bear resentment?  Whilst if he can find no one to whom to hire it, he must surely pay him the whole hiring-fee! — In truth, it means that he can find someone to whom to hire it; and the reason that he has cause for resentment is because of the trampling of the ship.  If so, it is a just complaint, and he is entitled to financial compensation! — But what is meant by 'he unloaded it' is that he unloaded [more of] his cargo within it.  Then what ground has he for complaint? — Because his intentions were thwarted;  or on account of the additional cordage necessary. Our Rabbis taught: If one hires an ass for riding, the hirer may put upon it his clothing,  water bottle, and provisions for that journey; beyond that, the ass-driver  can prevent him.  The ass-owner can place upon it the fodder, straw and provisions for one day; but beyond that, the hirer can prevent him.  How is it meant? If [food] can be purchased, let the ass-driver too prevent him;  whilst [if provisions] are not obtainable [on the road], the hirer too should not be able to prevent him! — R. Papa answered: This arises when it is indeed possible to procure it, after some trouble, from stage to stage. Now, for the ass-driver it is a normal matter to take trouble and purchase [his stores at various places],  but not for the hirer. Our Rabbis taught: If one hires an ass for a man to ride upon it, It may not be ridden by a woman; if for a woman, it may be ridden by a man; and a woman [includes] both large and small, and even if pregnant or one giving suck.  Seeing that you permit a woman giving suck,  is it necessary to state a pregnant woman? — R. Papa said: It means, even a pregnant woman who is at the same time feeding [another infant]. Abaye said: This proves that the weight of a fish depends on the size of its belly.  What does this matter? — In respect of buying and selling.