Bava Kamma

Bava Kamma (Jewish Babylonian Aramaic: בָּבָא קַמָּא, romanized: Bāḇā Qammā, lit.

The principle that underlies the legislation in this respect is expressed by the sentence, "He that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution".

Exodus 22:5 Bava Kamma consists of ten chapters which may be grouped as follows: damage caused without criminality (chaps.

The law of mu'ad applies to the four kinds of damage done by animals or agents in their normal condition.

In addition to these the Mishnah (1:4) enumerates the following: man, and wild beasts owned by a man—such as the wolf, the lion, the bear, and the leopard; also the serpent.

Following the order of the avot nezikin given in the beginning of the tractate, the damage caused by a pit is discussed in the second part of the fifth chapter; and the sixth chapter is devoted to the remaining two causes of damage, grazing (1–3) and burning (4–6).

In addition to all the compensation paid, the offender must beg the injured man's pardon.

(3) He who has robbed his neighbor, and desires to make restitution, pays the full value of the thing taken and a fine of one-fifth of its value.

With the exception of chapter 7:7 (on certain restrictions with regard to the rearing of cattle or poultry in the Land of Israel), there are neither halakhic nor aggadic digressions in this tractate.

The following are a few of the principles enunciated in the Gemara: According to Symmachus ben Joseph: Property concerning which there is a doubt whether it belongs to A or to B, is divided between A and B without either being compelled to confirm his claim by oath.

The latter replied that no fine could be imposed in the Babylonian courts, but that he desired to know the facts of the case.

Nachman's verdict was that B might with impunity have hit A a hundred times with the spade, as any delay would have involved a great loss to B.